Met Éireann’s Joanna Donnelly confirms her departure from high-profile RTÉ role

Meteorologist and author Joanna Donnelly has sent shockwaves across Ireland as she presented her last weather forecast on RTÉ One after nearly 10 years. 

The 54-year-old mother of three signed off Monday night's (April 21) Nine O' Clock News, stating, "That is my last forecast. Goodnight and goodbye." 

With many curious as to why Ms Donnelly decided to leave after nearly a decade with the broadcaster, she took to her Instagram stories to set the record straight. 

"I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. I've been on the weather forecast nearly 10 years I think at this stage, between training and being operational, and I've had a great time. It's been a great experience. I've gotten so much out it," said the former Dancing with the Stars contestant. 

READ MORE: RIP: Search for missing Dublin woman stood down as gardai issue tragic update

"I've gotten two books as well, which I am so proud of, and I'm so happy to have been given that opportunity. I do want to say my leaving has nothing to do with my work product. I've always given the very best I could possibly give to the weather forecast. So I hope anybody that's wondering what happened (knows) it wasn't the forecast," she clarified. 

After working with Met Éireann for almost 30 years, Ms Donnelly found herself reflecting on how far she's come and how quickly she feels its passed. 

She said, "It's flown by. I broke it down with my husband. You know, the the years that I spent before I was a forecaster and then as an early forecaster, a novice forecaster, with my small children, then my years struggling with infertility, and then there was running the charity and then, you know, went on TV, and I'm on TV nearly 10 years and 30 years just went by in the blink of an eye.

"And now what? I don't know, we'll see. Let's see what happens next. Chapter three," concluded the meteorologist. 

Ms Donnelly announced her intention to retire at the start of 2025 saying she might move to live in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband.