On April 24, 2026, Ireland and the UK are squarely in spring — confirmed by both meteorological and astronomical systems. Ireland’s meteorological service Met Éireann tracks seasons on fixed calendar months, placing the current season from March 1 through May 31.

4 related posts

Meteorological Spring: March 1 to May 31 · Meteorological Summer: June 1 to August 31 · Meteorological Autumn: September 1 to November 30 · Meteorological Winter: December 1 to February 28/29

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Which specific season ranks as the “hottest” varies by exact location within Ireland
3Timeline signal
  • Current season (spring) ends May 31; meteorological summer begins June 1
4What’s next
Season fact Ireland / UK value
Ireland Spring Start March 1
Ireland Summer End August 31
UK Autumn Months September to November
October Season Ireland Autumn

What season is it in Ireland now?

The short answer comes from Ireland’s official weather service. Met Éireann uses meteorological seasons — fixed calendar months that make forecasting and record-keeping consistent year over year. Under this system, spring in Ireland begins March 1 and runs through May 31.

That means if you check Met Éireann’s national forecast on any given date, their seasonal reference point is straightforward: March through May is spring, June through August is summer, and so on. The Irish calendar traditionally relied on astronomical timing, though Met Éireann and modern forecasting use the meteorological approach instead.

Meteorological seasons in Ireland

Meteorologists divide seasons into periods of three whole months based on average monthly temperatures (Royal Museums Greenwich). The system keeps data consistent across years — spring starts on the same date every year, making long-term comparisons meaningful.

  • Spring: March 1 – May 31
  • Summer: June 1 – August 31
  • Autumn: September 1 – November 30
  • Winter: December 1 – February 28/29

This predictability is why weather services prefer the meteorological system. When a forecast says “spring weather,” you know exactly which months are being referenced — no need to check whether the equinox has passed.

Current season checker

On April 24, 2026, both systems agree: it is spring. Met Éireann reported Ireland’s highest temperatures reached 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, warmest in the west, with dry conditions and sunshine for most of the day (Met Éireann). A few showers developed in Munster in the evening, some turning heavy.

Spring in Ireland brings occasional rain, but rain showers rarely last all day (Go Ahead Tours). The average spring temperature sits around 10°C, with days lengthening as the season progresses.

Bottom line: Ireland uses meteorological spring (March 1–May 31), confirmed by Met Éireann. As of April 24, 2026, you’re in spring — with roughly five weeks remaining before summer begins.

What season are we in the UK?

The UK follows the same seasonal framework. Spring months in the UK are March, April, and May (Calendarr). The Met Office defines the four seasons by Earth’s tilt: summer when tilted towards the Sun, autumn as it begins to tilt away, winter when fully tilted away, and spring when tilting back (Met Office).

UK meteorological definitions

Both Ireland and the UK use the same meteorological seasonal definitions for weather forecasting. The systems are effectively identical — what counts as spring in Dublin counts as spring in London.

Differences from astronomical

Astronomical seasons are defined by the Earth’s position in relation to the Sun (Calendarr), while meteorological seasons follow the temperature cycle rather than astronomical events. The practical difference: meteorological seasons start and end on the same date every year; astronomical seasons shift slightly each year based on when equinoxes and solstices occur.

The equinoxes occur in March and September when the Sun is edgewise to the Earth’s axis of rotation (National Physical Laboratory). The solstices occur in June and December when the Earth’s axis is at its extreme tilt towards and away from the Sun.

Bottom line: The UK uses the same fixed-month meteorological seasons as Ireland. The difference between meteorological and astronomical definitions is purely in how start dates are calculated — the weather you experience is what matters for forecasts.

Which season are we in today?

The answer depends on whether you mean meteorological or astronomical seasons — and your location on the globe. Both definitions place Ireland and the UK in spring on April 24, 2026, but the dates work differently.

Global vs local seasons

Northern Hemisphere seasons apply to Ireland and the UK, but the two systems diverge. Meteorological spring runs March 1 to May 31. Astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere runs from the March equinox (March 20, 2026) to the June solstice (June 20, 2026).

Both systems currently say spring — but the boundaries differ. If you check the National Physical Laboratory, their definition confirms astronomical spring ends June 20 in 2026, with the solstice falling June 21.

Today’s season by location

Whether you’re in Dublin, London, or Edinburgh, the answer is the same today: spring. The meteorological system gives you fixed, predictable dates for planning. For visitors to Ireland wondering what season it is near Dublin in late April, the forecast from Met Éireann shows spring conditions with temperatures ranging from 15 to 21°C.

Why location matters less than you think

Both Ireland and the UK share the same seasonal definitions for weather purposes. The northern Atlantic does influence temperature patterns — Ireland’s west coast often runs warmer in spring due to the Atlantic — but the seasonal classification itself is identical across both countries.

Bottom line: On April 24, 2026, Ireland and the UK are in spring under both meteorological and astronomical systems. Meteorological spring ends May 31; astronomical spring ends around June 20–21.

When Do Seasons Start and End?

Two competing systems define seasonal boundaries in the Northern Hemisphere. Understanding both helps you interpret forecasts, plan travel, and make sense of why “spring” sometimes seems to start at different times.

Meteorological dates

Meteorological spring starts on March 1 and ends on May 31 in the Northern Hemisphere (Calendar 365). The pattern repeats for every season:

  • Spring: March 1 – May 31
  • Summer: June 1 – August 31
  • Autumn: September 1 – November 30
  • Winter: December 1 – February 28/29

The benefit: consistent, predictable boundaries that align with temperature patterns and make historical data comparison straightforward.

Astronomical dates

Astronomical seasons vary slightly each year. The 2026 dates for Ireland and the UK:

  • Spring equinox: March 20, 2026 (Royal Museums Greenwich)
  • Summer solstice: June 21, 2026
  • Autumnal equinox: September 23, 2026
  • Winter solstice: December 21, 2026

The spring equinox occurs when Earth’s axis is neither tilted towards nor away from the Sun (Royal Museums Greenwich). This marks roughly equal day and night length — hence the name “equinox.”

The implication: meteorological spring arrives 19 days earlier than astronomical spring in 2026. That gap matters if you’re tracking historical records or comparing seasonal data across years.

Bottom line: Meteorological seasons use fixed calendar months; astronomical seasons use equinoxes and solstices that shift slightly each year. For practical purposes like weather forecasting, the meteorological system gives you reliable, consistent dates.

Is October winter in Ireland?

No. Under the meteorological system used by Met Éireann, October is firmly autumn — September 1 through November 30 marks the autumn season in Ireland.

October in meteorological seasons

This surprises people who associate October with cold weather. By the fixed-month standard, October’s first two-thirds belong to autumn. Meteorological winter doesn’t begin until December 1. If you are planning outdoor activities or packing for a trip in October, expect autumn conditions: changing foliage, temperatures typically ranging from 8 to 13°C, and increasingly unsettled weather as the month progresses.

Weather in October Ireland

October in Ireland brings noticeably cooler conditions than September, with rain becoming more frequent. Daylight hours shrink noticeably. But it is still autumn by both meteorological and astronomical definitions — winter doesn’t arrive until December at the earliest.

What this means for visitors: layer up, expect mixed weather, and don’t be caught off guard by cold mornings — but you won’t encounter winter conditions yet. The leaves will be turning, the gardens shifting to autumn colour, and daylight shortening as the month progresses.

The catch

October can feel like winter on cold mornings — but by the calendar that actually matters for Irish weather forecasting, you’re still in autumn. Trust Met Éireann’s seasonal labels, not the temperature on any given day.

Season Timeline for Ireland and UK

The Northern Hemisphere follows a predictable seasonal rhythm. The 2026 timeline for Ireland and the UK shows where we are now and what comes next.

  • — Meteorological spring begins (The Irish Road Trip)
  • — Astronomical spring equinox (Royal Museums Greenwich)
  • — Current date: spring (both systems)
  • — Meteorological spring ends
  • — Meteorological summer begins
  • — Astronomical spring ends
  • — Summer solstice: astronomical summer begins
  • — Autumnal equinox
  • — Winter solstice

The pattern means visitors can plan with confidence around the fixed meteorological calendar, while understanding that astronomers track slightly different boundaries based on Earth’s position in orbit.

Bottom line: The seasonal cycle in Ireland and the UK follows the same pattern. We’re in spring with six weeks remaining until meteorological summer. The astronomical boundary shifts slightly later, with the solstice on June 21.

What We Know vs What We Don’t

Confirmed

  • Meteorological seasons fixed by month per Met Éireann and Timeanddate.com
  • Ireland uses meteorological spring: March 1–May 31
  • Astronomical spring 2026: March 20 – June 20/21
  • Current date (April 24, 2026) falls within both definitions

Less certain

  • Which specific season ranks as the “hottest” varies by exact location within Ireland
  • Regional microclimates can shift perceived seasonal timing within specific areas

What the Experts Say

The spring months are usually March, April and May, and so by this definition spring starts on 1 March and ends on 31 May.

Royal Museums Greenwich

Today will be dry with sunshine for most, though it will be cloudier in the west and southwest. A few showers will develop in Munster this evening, some turning heavy.

Met Éireann

Spring in Ireland brings the occasional rain, but rest assured rain showers rarely last all day.

Go Ahead Tours

Why this matters

Ireland’s official forecasts come from Met Éireann using the fixed-month system. The Royal Museums Greenwich confirms why meteorologists prefer this approach: it keeps seasonal data consistent across years. For visitors planning activities, trusting the meteorological calendar means knowing what to expect from the actual weather patterns.

Summary

On April 24, 2026, Ireland and the UK are in spring — confirmed under both meteorological and astronomical definitions. The meteorological system, used by Met Éireann and the Met Office, defines spring as March 1–May 31. The astronomical system marks spring from the March 20 equinox to the June 20 solstice. Both agree today.

Met Éireann’s forecast shows temperatures of 15 to 21°C with mostly dry, sunny conditions — spring in full effect, with five weeks remaining before meteorological summer arrives June 1. For visitors planning activities in Ireland or the UK, the meteorological calendar gives you the reliable framework that actual weather services use.

Related reading: sunset times · what time is sunset today

Additional sources

met.ie, wildernessireland.com, icewatch.co.uk

Meteorological seasons in Ireland and the UK, from March-May for spring, differ slightly from astronomical dates by hemisphere used globally.

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Frequently asked questions

What season is it near Dublin?

Near Dublin, the current season is spring, consistent with Ireland’s meteorological system. As of April 24, 2026, Met Éireann confirms temperatures ranging from 15 to 21°C with mostly dry, sunny conditions — typical spring weather for the area.

What are the 4 seasons of the year in order?

The four seasons in order are spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In the Northern Hemisphere — which includes Ireland and the UK — this cycle repeats annually. The exact dates vary slightly between meteorological (fixed months) and astronomical (equinoxes/solstices) definitions.

What season is December?

December falls in meteorological winter (December 1 – February 28/29). The astronomical winter solstice occurs around December 21, marking the midpoint of the astronomical winter season. By either definition, December is firmly winter in Ireland and the UK.

What season is September?

September falls in meteorological autumn (September 1 – November 30). The autumnal equinox occurs around September 22–23, which is the astronomical start of autumn. Early September often still feels like late summer, but the meteorological system marks it as autumn from day one.

What season is November?

November is meteorological autumn — the season runs through November 30 before winter begins December 1. By astronomical definitions, November typically falls within autumn as well, with winter solstice not occurring until late December. Expect cool, often wet conditions with shortened daylight hours.

Which season is the hottest?

In Ireland and the UK, summer is typically the hottest season, spanning June through August. However, exact ranking varies by location — coastal areas and northern regions tend to be cooler than inland and southern areas, even during summer months. Spring in Ireland brings average temperatures around 10°C, while summer typically reaches higher values.

Will 2026 be as hot as 2025?

2025 was confirmed as the hottest year on record, and climate trends suggest 2026 will rank among the top five warmest years. Whether it surpasses 2025 depends on conditions through the rest of the year. Current projections indicate continued elevated temperatures across Ireland and the UK for the foreseeable future.