Ireland enjoyed a brief reprieve from bone-chilling temperatures, but it was short lived as more wintry weather is forecast to return within hours.
Met Eireann has issued a 16-hour weather warning for snow and ice, saying: “Wintry showers will lead to icy conditions in some areas on Monday night and on Tuesday morning. Potential Impacts include hazardous road conditions and slippery paths.”
The Status Yellow alert is in place from 8pm Monday until 12 noon Tuesday and affects Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.
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A separate Status Yellow snow and ice warning has been issued by the Met Office for Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Derry.
After milder weather over the weekend, temperatures are forecast to plummet well below freezing again on Monday and Tuesday night, while daytime temperatures will struggle to reach double digits.
The national forecaster says the cold blast is not over yet and will be accompanied by wintry showers of sleet and snow, as well as heavy rain with hail and thunder.
However a major change is due midweek as warmer weather returns. Wednesday night is forecast to be mild with temperatures of 7C to 10C.
Thursday is set to be a warm day with temperatures reaching as high as 15C along with heavy and prolonged rain in some areas.
Giving its forecast for St Patrick’s Day, Met Eireann said: “Current indications suggest it will be a showery day on Friday (St Patrick's Day). There will be a mix of sunny spells and showers, some of the showers possibly heavy and prolonged. Highest temperatures of 12C to 15C in moderate to fresh southerly winds. A mix of clear spells and showers on Friday night. Lowest temperatures of 6C to 9C.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, it continued: “Low pressure is expected to be positioned over Ireland for the weekend bringing showery conditions.”
Giving its overall forecast for this week, the meteorological service said: “Low pressure will dominate with an initial southwesterly airflow becoming more northerly as the week progresses. Above average rainfall is expected across the country. Northern parts will, on average, have temperatures slightly below average while southern parts will return closer to average. With a rather disturbed picture for the week, rain and perhaps wind warnings are possible, while winter warnings can’t be ruled out especially in the north and northwest.”
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