They call it Blue Monday – that mid-January start to the week that falls when the glow of Christmas and New Year has finally died – the weater is grim and the bills are arriving in flocks.
And the weather is certainly reflecting that grey, washed out mood today, with widespread rain and cloud across most of Munster, and a damp cold in the air. However, for those willing to look for a silver lining, the good news on this Blue Monday is that better conditions are just ahead. And we should be seeing brighter skies before too long as the January slog continues.
In terms of the heating bills, you can turn down the thermostat because it’s going to continue mild, with daytime temps in the low double digits but staying relatively warm overnight, falling down to around 8-10C. In fact, Ireland is one of the warmest spots in Europe today, with temps in Cork higher than many spots on the southern coast of Spain.
The week should continue mild, with some long bright spells and even some clear skies, especially on Wednesday and Thursday, so there’s reasons to feel a little less blue this Monday.
The full forecast for Munster from Met Eireann looks like:
TODAY – Monday 13th January
Generally cloudy and rather breezy today with outbreaks of rain and drizzle pushing in from the west at times. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in fresh to strong southwest winds. There’ll be mist and fog over hills and on some windward coasts.
TONIGHT
Mostly cloudy tonight with areas of mist, fog and drizzle. A mild night with lowest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees in moderate south to southwest winds.
TOMORROW – Tuesday 14th January
It looks set to be generally cloudy on Tuesday but a few sunny spells are likely. It will be largely dry but there’ll be some areas of mist and drizzle. Maximum temperatures will range from 11 to 14 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds.
National Outlook
Overview: Staying fairly mild with occasional rain and drizzle. The best of the dry weather is expected over the eastern half of the country.
Tuesday night: It will be mostly dry on Tuesday night with clear spells developing in many areas. Turning rather cool under the clear skies with lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in moderate southerly breezes.
Wednesday: A largely dry day is forecast on Wednesday with good spells of sunshine likely across the east and southeast of the country. More in the way of cloud elsewhere but there’ll be a few bright or sunny intervals. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds. Largely dry on Wednesday night with clear spells and just a few mist or fog patches. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in moderate southerly winds.
Thursday: It is expected to be a mostly dry day on Thursday. It will be generally cloudy across the west and north of the country with the chance of some patchy drizzle in Atlantic coastal areas. Further east and south there will be a mix of cloud and some sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds. Generally cloudy on Thursday night with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the southwest, west and north. It will be mostly dry elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate southerly breezes.
Friday: Another mostly cloudy day is forecast on Friday but with plenty of dry weather. There will just be a few patches of light rain and drizzle about, mainly in the southwest and west of the country. Maximum temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees in moderate southerly winds.