Galway, on Ireland’s west coast, has a mild, oceanic climate shaped by the Atlantic and frequent westerly winds. Winters are cool and wet but rarely harsh, while summers are mild and often cloudy. Rainfall is abundant year-round, and the city’s lush landscape and long summer days make it a charming destination in any season.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Galway’s climate is classified as temperate maritime, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Atlantic Current. Winters (December–February) are mild but wet and windy, with average highs of 8–9°C and lows around 3–4°C. Snow is rare, and frost is usually brief. Rainfall is frequent, with December and January among the wettest months (over 115 mm each), and strong Atlantic storms can bring high winds. Winter days are short, with just 1–2 hours of sunshine and about 8 hours of daylight. Humidity is high, and the weather can change rapidly.
Summers (June–August) are cool and variable, with average highs of 17–20°C and lows around 11–13°C. July is the warmest month, but heatwaves are rare. Rain showers are common, though often brief, and sunshine averages 5–6 hours per day in the sunniest months (May and June). Daylight lasts up to 17 hours in June, and evenings stay light until after 10 p.m. Spring and autumn are transitional, with mild temperatures (10–16°C), moderate rainfall, and frequent clouds. Annual precipitation is high, at about 1,150 mm, with rain possible in any month. Winds are generally moderate to strong, especially in autumn and winter, and the city’s coastal location means weather can shift quickly from sun to rain and back again.
| Average climate data for Galway, Ireland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 21 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 116 | 95 | 93 | 61 | 67 | 81 | 69 | 108 | 94 | 130 | 123 | 120 | 1,156 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 22 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 232 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
The best time to visit Galway is from May to early September, when temperatures are mild (15–20°C), days are long and relatively sunny, and the city’s festivals and outdoor events are in full swing. Late spring and early summer offer the most daylight and the driest conditions, ideal for exploring the coast and countryside.
The least favourable time to visit Galway is from November to February, when days are short, temperatures are cool (8–9°C), and rain, wind, and clouds are frequent. While the city remains lively, outdoor activities can be limited by wet, windy conditions and fewer daylight hours.
Galway’s annual average temperature is about 10–11°C. January is the coldest month (highs 8–9°C, lows 3–4°C), while July is the warmest (highs 19–20°C, lows 12–13°C).
Galway receives about 1,150 mm of rain annually, with precipitation spread year-round. October–January are wettest. Snow is rare, but rain is frequent, often as light showers.
Galway enjoys about 1,200 hours of sunshine per year. May and June are the sunniest months (5–6 hours/day), while December and January are the least sunny (1–2 hours/day).
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) are best for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures, long days, and more sunshine. Summer is ideal for festivals, walking, and exploring the coast.
Galway itself is not a winter sports destination. Snow is rare and temperatures are too mild for reliable ice or snow-based activities. For winter sports, visit the mountains in other parts of Ireland or Scotland.
Swimming outdoors is most comfortable in August and September, when sea temperatures reach 14°C. Even then, the water is cool for most swimmers, but beach activities are popular on warm, calm days.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and rain gear for summer, and insulated, waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella and windproof jacket are useful year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (20.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (13 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (3.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.4 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (15.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (9.5 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 12.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (130.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (61.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,155.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (21.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is April (15.9 days). Over the whole year there are 231.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 0.9 h). Over the whole year there are 3.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.
