Ireland braces for dramatic weather change as Met Eireann snow warnings intensify

Ireland is enduring a severe cold snap with temperatures as low as -8C, accompanied by widespread frost, ice and snow. However, a dramatic shift is expected within days, with temperatures set to swing by 18C.

By: irishmirror.ie

Jan 07 2025
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Ireland braces for dramatic we

Ireland is currently in the grips of a severe cold snap, with temperatures plunging to subzero levels as icy conditions and snow sweep the country.

For the past few days, Ireland has been under an unrelenting freeze, with widespread frost, ice and snow. The ongoing weather has prompted Met Eireann to issue multiple weather warnings, urging the public to remain vigilant of hazardous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, poor visibility and travel disruption.

Despite the bone-chilling weather, a dramatic change is on the horizon. The extreme cold will begin to shift towards milder conditions by the weekend, with temperatures set to rise by a remarkable 18C in just a few days.

What has been an icy, snow-filled week will soon transition into milder weather, with temperatures expected to climb from a bitter -8C on Wednesday to a much more temperate 10C by Sunday.

Currently, much of Ireland is enduring temperatures well below freezing, and Met Eireann has forecast that conditions could worsen before the weekend relief arrives. The forecaster has issued two key warnings that remain in effect.

A Status Yellow snow and ice alert for the entire country remains in place until noon today and states: "Wintry showers will bring further accumulation of snow. Potential impacts include hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption."

A separate Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning has also been issued for all of Ireland. The six-day alert has been extended until midnight on Friday, and warns: "Very cold nights with widespread frost, ice and lying snow. Temperatures struggling to get above freezing during the day. Potential impacts include hazardous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, and travel disruption."

Concerns are mounting that the warnings could escalate to Status Orange as the cold snap intensifies over the next three days, bringing even more severe weather conditions.

Met Eireann has provided a detailed forecast of what to expect in the coming days, as the cold snap persists before the dramatic weather change.

A forecaster said: "A very cold day Tuesday with sunny intervals and scattered wintry showers, most frequent in the west and north. Frost and ice along with some lying snow will persist in some areas all day. Highest temperatures of just 0C to 5C in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher at times near western and northern coasts. Extremely cold and largely dry Tuesday night though a few wintry showers will affect parts of the north and west. Lowest temperatures of -8C to -3C generally, locally lower, with a severe frost and icy stretches. Light variable breezes will allow patches of freezing fog to develop.

"A bitterly cold morning Wednesday with widespread frost and ice along with patches of freezing fog, lingering in places through the day. Otherwise, there will be sunny periods and scattered wintry showers, mainly in the north and west. However, it will be cloudier for a time near southern coasts with the chance of some patchy rain. Highest temperatures of -1C to 4C with mostly light northerly breezes, more moderate near southern coasts. Extremely cold Wednesday night, mostly dry and clear overnight. However, further wintry showers are expected in the northwest. Lowest temperatures of -8C to -2C generally, locally lower. Freezing fog patches will develop in light northwesterly breezes.

"Widespread frost and ice in the morning Thursday along with some freezing fog, lingering throughout the day for many despite the sunshine. Well scattered wintry showers will continue in the morning, mainly in the north and west, but becoming more isolated later. Cloud will build in the southwest in the evening. Highest temperatures of -2C to 4C generally in light variable breezes. Dry at first Thursday night with freezing fog developing. However, cloud will continue to build from the southwest overnight as a band of rain follows over the southwestern half of the country with falls of sleet and snow initially before quickly transitioning to snow. Further north and east it will stay mostly dry. Lowest temperatures of -7C to -2C generally before turning milder from the southwest. Winds will become easterly and increase mostly light to moderate by morning.

"Largely cloudy Friday with outbreaks of rain and sleet with some falls of snow possible on high ground. Highest afternoon temperatures of 1C to 5C generally but milder for southern coastal fringes. Moderate, occasionally fresh, east to southeast winds. The outbreaks of rain will clear northeastwards overnight Friday, becoming largely dry and clear for a time before patchy rain moves in from the west. A milder night with lowest temperatures of 0C to 5C generally. Southerly winds will ease light allowing fog to develop.

"Outbreaks of rain Saturday will be most persistent in the north through the day, elsewhere it will become drier through the morning with sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures of 4C to 8C generally, milder in parts of the west and southwest, in mostly light southwesterly breezes.

"Largely dry and settled Sunday with just patchy light rain and drizzle, mainly in the north and west. Highest temperatures generally between 6C and 10C."

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