To get a feel for just how hilarious Irish weather is, just tune into one of the TV or radio weather forecasts.
Nowhere else will you hear the phrase, “Today we can expect showers, followed by periods of rain.” Categoriz-
ing rain is an art form in Ireland. First you have “soft rain,” which is like being spritzed by a spray bottle. Then you have “spitting,” just a few random drops that don’t even leave the ground wet. Next come “showers,” brief inter-
vals of rain that last only a few minutes—often while the sun is shining.
The Irish don’t consider it to be true rain unless it’s steady and ongoing enough to warrant an umbrella. In adownpour, you may hear someonecomplain that it’s “lashing,” “bucketing,” or “pelting.”
The only thing consistent about Irish weather is its changeability, with the best of times and the worst of times often only hours, or minutes, apart. There’s a saying that in Ireland you get “all four seasons in one day,” which means you could start your day in heavenly, summery sunshine, getcaught in a brief springlike downpour by lunchtime, go through an autumnal, dry but windy spell in midafternoon, and need a sweater as a wintry evening chill sets in. In other words, when packing, think layers for any time of year.In Ireland the thermometers, gratefully, are a lot less busy than thebarometers. Temperatures are mild and fluctuate within what any New Englander would call “spring.” The generally coldest months, January and February, bring frosts but seldom snow, and the warmest months, July
and August, rarely become truly hot. Remember, the Irish consider any temperature over 68°F (20°C) to be “roasting,” and below 34°F (1°C) as truly “freezing.” Both are unusual, but funny things happen.
