In short: not often. Dublin Airport records snow or sleet falling on about 12 days a year on average, mostly between December and March, but snow is lying on the ground at 9am on only about 2 days a year. January and February are the snowiest months. A proper snowfall that settles in the city happens only every few years.
I often get asked how often it snows in Dublin, and the answer surprises people. Snow in Dublin is as rare as a quiet pub on St Patrick’s Day, and just as magical when it happens. Dublin’s relationship with snow is a bit like a long-distance romance: eagerly anticipated, but seldom seen.
Here’s what the official figures say, when you’re most likely to see snow, and what a Dublin winter is really like.
How many days does it snow in Dublin?
Met Éireann, Ireland’s weather service, publishes 30-year averages for Dublin Airport. For 1991 to 2020:
- About 12.5 days a year with snow or sleet falling. Most of these are brief showers or sleet that melts as it lands.
- About 2 days a year with snow lying on the ground at 9am.
- About 35 days a year with an air frost.
| Month | Days with snow or sleet | Days with snow lying at 9am |
|---|---|---|
| November | 0.6 | 0.1 |
| December | 2.3 | 0.7 |
| January | 3.2 | 0.7 |
| February | 3.2 | 0.4 |
| March | 2.4 | 0.3 |
| April | 0.7 | 0 |
Source: Met Éireann 30-year averages, Dublin Airport, 1991 to 2020. The city centre, beside the sea, usually gets even less snow than the airport.
Why does Dublin get so little snow?
Ireland sits in the path of mild, damp Atlantic air, warmed by the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift. Winter temperatures in Dublin rarely drop far below freezing: the average January night is about 2°C. So when cold air does arrive, there’s often not quite enough cold to turn rain into lying snow, especially near the coast.
When Dublin did get snow
- The Beast from the East, 2018: at the end of February and start of March 2018, Storm Emma met a blast of Siberian air and brought heavy snow and drifts to Dublin. Shops ran out of sliced pan, and the country came to a standstill for days.
- The big freeze of 2010: December 2010 was bitterly cold, with snow and ice lying for weeks across much of Ireland, and a rare white Christmas for many.
Will Dublin have a white Christmas?
Probably not. For bookmakers, a white Christmas usually just means a single snowflake falling on Christmas Day, which happens now and then somewhere in Ireland. Snow actually lying in Dublin on Christmas morning is rare. If you’re visiting, see our guide to Christmas in Ireland.
What a Dublin winter is really like
Expect grey skies, rain, wind, short days and temperatures from about 2°C to 9°C. The sun sets around 4pm in December. It’s a cosy time to visit, with Christmas markets, open fires and empty museums. Pack a warm, waterproof jacket rather than snow boots. For more, see Ireland’s weather month by month and our list of things to do in Dublin.
FAQ
What is the snowiest month in Dublin?
January and February, each with about 3 days of snow or sleet on average.
Does it snow in Ireland every year?
Some snow or sleet falls somewhere in Ireland almost every winter, especially on high ground and in the north and east. Lying snow in Dublin city is much rarer.
Is Dublin colder than London in winter?
They’re very similar. Dublin’s winter days are often a little milder and windier, thanks to the sea.
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