Donegal Holiday Weather Overview
Donegal is a year-round destination, with no extremes of weather which would hinder your visit.
Donegal Town, usually just called Donegal, is the principal town of Co Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. Situated among some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery, the town is a busy arts and culture hub and a popular tourist destination. Nearby, towering cliffs and soaring mountains give way to beaches, glens, moorland and bogs, and the area is dotted with prehistoric sites and landmarks from Ireland’s history.
Donegal’s Climate
Donegal’s climate is heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream. Summers are cool and wet, and winters are mild and still wet. Rainfall is a key features of the Donegal climate, and it can and does rain pretty consistently throughout the year. However, the rainfall keeps the scenery lush and green and contributes to the area’s excellent biodiversity and fertility.
Donegal in Spring
Spring gets off to a slow start in Donegal. In March, average daily highs are only around 5°C, with nights skimming above freezing. By the end of May, however, the daily temperatures will have risen to around 14°C, but be aware that nights are still cool in late spring, averaging approximately 5-6°C.
There is plenty of rain around in the spring, as there is in the rest of the year - between March and May you can expect to see rain on around 16-17 days each month, although the amount and duration of the rain lessens as the temperatures warms up.
If you’re visiting Donegal in the spring, take an umbrella and layered clothing.
Donegal in Summer
Donegal is not known for its hot summers but temperatures do reach a pleasant 18-20°C in June, July and August, and occasionally a little higher. Nights are still not very warm, however, and temperatures overnight can fall to little more than 10-12°C.
Summer is the driest season in Donegal Town, but even so there will be still be a shower every couple of days. However, there is usually plenty of sunshine, interspersed with a few cloudier days.
Donegal in Autumn
Autumn is a beautiful time to visit Donegal if you like your weather wet and wild. The landscapes around the town take on a particular autumn beauty and although it’s a damp season, there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had by those who love nature. Expect average daily highs of around 15°C in September, falling to 8°C in November - but be warned, again, it’s the nights which catch visitors unawares, and overnight lows in November can be as cold as 2°C.
With occasional strong winds and blustery, overcast days, the rain in autumn can be heavy in Donegal, but it adds to the mystery of this ancient landscape.
Donegal in Winter
Donegal’s winters are decidedly cool, and rather wet. There is a lot of rain in the winter months and the skies can be grey for weeks at a time. Average daily highs struggle up to approximately 3-4°C but nights generally remain just above freezing, except in more rural areas. Take sweaters and waterproof clothing.
Best months to visit Donegal?
June and July are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Donegal. The weather averages gathered from Donegal weather forecast and Donegal weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 16°c and average of 79.86667 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Donegal?
January and February are the coldest months with temperature at around 3°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Donegal?
December and November receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 181.24mm.
Travelling to Donegal? Check out our Weather averages of Donegal to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Donegal section.