Ireland weather: Snow to kick off 2023 as Met Eireann…

Ireland weather: Snow to kick off 2023 as Met Eireann forecast brief wintry blast

Ireland faces an icy blast on New Year’s Day, with falls of snow ushering in 2023 on a wintry note.

Met Eireann has forecast heavy rain, hail, thunder and sleet for today, with freezing temperatures and wintry showers overnight.

The national forecaster is also warning of freezing fog, saying patches of it will develop after dark.

In its forecast for today, it said: “Mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain in Munster and Leinster this morning, heavy at times, with isolated hail and thunder possible. Drier with clear spells and patches of mist and fog elsewhere. Scattered showers will move into Connacht and Ulster this afternoon and evening, with sleet possible on high ground, and it will become drier and brighter in the south and east. Highest temperatures of 3C to 9C, coldest in the north, with a light to moderate southwest to west or variable wind.

“Tonight will be very cold and frosty with icy surfaces possible. It will be largely dry with long clear spells, however there will be isolated showers and some of these may be wintry. Patches of freezing fog will develop too. Lowest temperatures of -3C to 1C in a light and variable wind.”

The cold weather is set to continue into tomorrow. Daytime temperatures of just 1C to 5C is forecast, with further sleet possible overnight.

Met Eireann said: “Monday morning will be very cold and frosty with icy stretches and patches of freezing fog. It will stay cold in most areas for the day, with highest temperatures of 1C to 5C, but will be less cold in the southwest. It will be mostly dry with low winter sunshine and just isolated showers in the west and northwest. Winds will be light and variable at first but will become southerly later, freshening in the west.

“Cloudy and windy Monday night with outbreaks of rain moving east, turning to sleet at times. Lowest temperatures ranging from 2C to 8C, northeast to southwest, with a fresh to strong and gusty southerly wind.”

It’s due to turn milder from Tuesday, with wet and windy weather also forecast.

The forecast reads: “Milder but wet and windy with spells of rain and showers moving across the country throughout the day. Highest temperatures of 11C to 13C degrees, in a fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest wind.

“Breezy with outbreaks of rain early in the night, but becoming drier and calmer by morning. Lowest temperatures of 5C to 10C with a moderate to fresh westerly wind, easing later.”

Looking ahead to the rest of next week, Met Eireann said: “Over the northern half of the country on Wednesday it will be mostly dry and bright but it will be cloudier further south with patchy light rain or drizzle. Highest temperatures of 7C to 11C north to south, in a light to moderate westerly or variable wind.

“More persistent rain is expected to move in over the southern half of the country on Wednesday night, while showers develop in northern areas. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 8C, coldest in the north, in a light southerly or variable wind

“A wet day on Thursday as rain becomes widespread and occasionally heavy. Becoming breezy in the south too. Highest temperatures ranging 5C to 11C from north to south.