Met Éireann issue warning as temperatures set to plunge in cold snap

Simon Kelly

“Do take care while out and about.”

Met Éireann have issued a warning ahead an upcoming cold snap which will see temperatures drop to -5C in some parts of Ireland.

It looks like we’re going to finally be getting some seasonal weather for the week ahead, as the national forecaster has warned that frost and ice will be fairly widespread by night and in the mornings.

Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Coleman explained “It’s going to feel much colder than it has recently, with daytime temperatures in the low single figures and nighttime 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.”

?First cold snap of 2024?

Starting to feel like winter with cold & crisp weather expected for the weekend & into next week

For more details check out⬇️
ℹ️https://t.co/ktXtWjbfIg pic.twitter.com/qHtba8fHyN

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 5, 2024

National Outlook

Sunday, Jan 7
It will start off with frost, ice and some dense fog in places. Frost and fog will slowly clear with sunny spells developing in most areas. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees, possibly staying colder where fog lingers. Light variable breezes.

The fog will become more widespread for a time on Sunday night though and it’ll be very cold and frosty with some ice. Lowest temperatures of -3 to zero degrees. Winds will become east to southeasterly and will be mostly light, but will start to pick up slightly, with a clearance of the fog starting to extend from the east later in the night. It’ll be mainly dry, there’s just the chance of a few isolated showers in eastern coastal parts.

Monday, Jan 8
A frosty start on Monday morning with the remaining fog clearing to leave a cold, mainly dry, bright day with good spells of sunshine for most. There’s just the chance of a few isolated light showers in eastern and southern coastal parts, where it’s likely to be a little cloudier at times. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in light to moderate southeast winds.

Very cold on Monday night and dry and clear apart from the chance of an isolated light shower along the east coast. Lowest temperatures of -5 to -1 degrees generally, with frosty conditions for most and some ice. It’ll be slightly less cold along the east coast, due to a light easterly breeze.

Tuesday, Jan 9
Another frosty start on Tuesday and it will be a cold, mainly dry and bright day with plenty of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees, coldest away from the east coast in light to moderate east to northeasterly winds.

Very cold again on Tuesday night and dry and clear for most. A little cloudier at times along the east coast with a few isolated light showers. Lowest temperatures of -4 to -1 degrees generally, with frosty conditions for most and some ice in mostly light east to northeast breezes. It’ll be slightly less cold along the east coast where some cloud and a moderate east to northeast wind should help prevent frost forming. There’s just the chance of a few isolated mist and fog patches.

Wednesday, Jan 10
Little change for Wednesday. It’ll be frosty to begin and it’ll be mainly dry with a mix of cloud and some spells of sunshine. There’s just the chance of a few isolated light showers in eastern and northeastern coastal parts. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in light to moderate northeast winds.

Wednesday night will be cold with a mix of cloud and clear spells. It will be mostly dry, but there’ll be a few showers, mainly along the east coast. Lowest temperatures generally of -3 to +2 degrees, with some frost and ice. Once again it’ll be a little less cold along the east coast.

Thursday, Jan 11
Thursday will bring a mix of cloud and some bright or sunny spells. While it will be mostly dry, there’ll be a few isolated showers around, mainly in the east. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in light to moderate northeast winds.