Weather and climate in Waterford (Ireland)

The climate of Waterford (Port Láirge) is oceanic, with quite cold, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers.
The city is located on the coast of south-eastern Ireland, in the sunniest area of the country.

Winter, from December to February, is quite cold: temperatures are not so low, but wind and humidity can increase the sensation of cold. The sky is often cloudy, and rainfall is frequent. Sometimes, intense Atlantic depressions can cause wind storms.
Snowfalls are relatively rare and not abundant. Usually, cold spells are not intense and do not last long. The temperature rarely drops below -3 °C (26.5 °F), however, it can sometimes drop to lower values. The coldest record is -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) and was set in January 1987.

In spring, from March to May, the temperature slowly rises, and Atlantic fronts become a bit less frequent. In May, it is often still quite cold, especially in the first half of the month.

Summer, from June to August, is cool, with quite frequent rains, in a context of variable weather. Sometimes, fog can form.
Hot days are rare: the temperature may not reach 25 °C (77 °F) for an entire month. However, the highest record is 30 °C (86 °F) and was set in late June 2018.

Autumn, from September to November, is gray, cloudy and rainy, and with each passing week, it gets progressively colder. In November, the wind is often moderate or strong.

Best Time

The best time to visit Waterford is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest of the year. The temperatures are generally good for outdoors activities, although it's better to bring an umbrella, and a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening or for cool days.

Waterford - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 16.6 °C (61.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1045 millimeters (41.1 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 65 mm (2.6 in) in the driest month (June) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 8.5 °C (47 °F) in March to 16.5 °C (62 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 1580 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Waterford - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.7 °C (19.9 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.4 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (49 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) in February 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

March is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.5 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (52 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in April 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in June 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in July 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

August is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in September 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -4.9 °C (23.2 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) and a maximum of 11.6 °C (52.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -3.9 °C (25 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 4 °C (39.1 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) in December 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 91%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.