People 'are going to get quite a shock' as 'first cold snap of the season' to bite

The country will experience a “transition to significantly colder conditions” from Monday, November 18, which will last through “much of the week”.  

The advisory, which was issued on Friday afternoon, will remain in place until midnight on Saturday, November 23. 

It says wintry hazards such as frost and ice are likely, with the potential for sleet, snow and hail in parts of the country.  Met Éireann will issue warnings as necessary over the coming days with hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption expected over the coming week.  The forecaster also warns of animal welfare issues as a result of sub-zero temperatures.  

Met Éireann’s deputy head of forecasting Liz Coleman said people "are going to get quite a shock as the temperatures plummet next week".

Ms Coleman said although details are uncertain at present, there is the possibility of heavy and persistent rain in the west and north and some sleet and snow over parts of Ulster on Monday.   

"However, there is a high degree of certainty that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic airmass sinks over the country from the north. Daytime temperatures will often range around 2C to 6C with night-time temperatures widely falling below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice," said Ms Coleman.

"The northerly airflow will also bring showers of sleet and snow, these most frequent over the northern half of the country but there is potential for some showers to reach further south. These conditions will bring some hazardous travelling conditions, travel disruptions and poor visibility.” 

Ms Coleman said "extent of the wintry showers in terms of snow is still unclear" but forecasters will provide detailed information closer to the time.  “The cold northerly airmass looks set to linger over Ireland until next Friday at least, but possibly into next weekend too, although uncertainty increases after Friday,” she said. 

More generally, Met Éireann said Saturday could be the last day of warmer temperatures, with patchy rain and drizzle expected in the south. Highest afternoon temperatures of 8C to 11C are expected.

From Sunday, temperatures will fall as the low-pressure system tracks near Ireland.

"There is now high confidence for a spell of cold and wintry weather from Monday night onwards and throughout much of next week with frost, ice and some wintry shower," Met Éireann said. 

Sunday will see some showers with temperatures failing to get above 10C and falling as low 5C at night. Monday will see "wintry falls" arrive with temperatures falling to lows of -1C on Monday night.