Temperatures to plummet towards -10C as weather warning kicks in
And Disruption Is Weekend Cause Service Bring Cold” With Travel And That “very Disruptive Likely Could Impactful This Weather Expected Conditions, Then To
Snow flurries are to hit parts of the country this weekend before temperatures drop as low as -10C early next week.
The early hours of Friday morning are set to see temperatures plummet to as low as –5 as Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow snow/ice warning for the entire country and urged the public to be aware of hazardous travelling conditions and animal welfare issues.
Across Munster the temperatures are expected to recover to as high as 5C on Friday.
This weekend is then expected to bring “very cold” conditions, with disruptive and impactful weather likely that could cause travel and service disruption.
A Met Éireann advisory issued for the weekend said that we can expect sleet and snow in parts through to Monday.
“A spell of rain will spread northwards over Ireland during the course of Saturday, turning to sleet and snow in some areas,” it said.
“Rain, sleet and snow will continue for a time on Sunday before clearing eastwards into the Irish Sea.
“Significant accumulations of snow are likely in some counties.”
Conditions will become drier towards the start of next week, with a bitterly cold Arctic airmass across the country and bringing temperatures as low as -10C by Tuesday night.
“There’ll be treacherous conditions with some significant accumulations of lying snow along with widespread severe frost and ice,” Met Éireann said.
"The cold snap of weather will continue to the end of next week, with the likelihood of more persistent falls of rain, sleet and snow, but it's likely to gradually become less cold by the weekend," Met Éireann said.
⚠️Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland⚠️
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 2, 2025
Very cold with widespread frost & ice as temps fall to -3 C or below in many areas.
Potential Impacts:
➡️Hazardous travelling conditions
➡️Animal welfare issues
For more information: https://t.co/3041XHjphi pic.twitter.com/NmCx1AmikL
Met Eireann meteorologist Liz Coleman said: “It’s going to feel much colder than it has recently, with daytime temperatures in the low single figures and night-time temperatures falling below zero in most areas.
“Widespread frost is expected with some ice, although generally dry conditions will limit ice formation to mainly areas of standing water or run-off. Nevertheless, do take care while out and about.
“While it will be cold, it will be mainly dry with sunny spells as the high pressure will prevent any significant rainfall.
“There will be showers at times in the north and west over the weekend, and in the east through next week, but rainfall amounts will be low. So, a lot of dry weather in the forecast.”
A Yellow Ice Warning is in place across Northern Ireland this morning.
The UK Met Office has cautioned about icy patches on untreated roads, footpaths, and cycle paths, with a risk of injuries from slips and falls.
The warning covers Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone and remains in effect until 10am.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.