A freezing Arctic weather blast will see Ireland’s recent mild temperatures plummet as subzero conditions including snow engulf the country.
Met Eireann says temperatures could drop as low as -6C in places, with wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow forecast from today and lasting well into next week.
The imminent cold weather has prompted the national forecaster to issue a nationwide ‘Winter Weather’ advisory, which lasts until noon on Thursday.
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It reads: “Turning cold across the country between Sunday evening and Thursday morning as an Arctic airflow becomes established, bringing sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads and footpaths. Some showers of hail, sleet and snow are expected with the potential for freezing fog.”
Further weather warnings are expected to be issued in the coming days.
The weather is set to take a chilly turn from today.
Sunday’s forecast reads: “Today will be quite cloudy with occasional sunny periods and a few icy patches in parts at first. There will be showers or outbreaks of rain at times, possibly some sleet over Ulster later in the day. Highest temperatures of 4C to 7C with fresh and gusty west to northwest winds in the morning, easing light in the afternoon.
“Patchy rain, sleet and hill snow will clear Ulster by early tonight. Wintry showers will mostly affect northern fringes and parts of the west and southwest overnight where some falls of sleet or snow are likely. Clearer weather developing elsewhere and a widespread frost will form with ice on untreated surfaces. Lowest temperatures of 0C to -4C. Pockets of freezing fog will also form in very light winds.”
Looking ahead to Monday, Met Eireann said: “Tomorrow, frost, fog or ice will linger in some parts during the day. There will be sunny spells with wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow feeding onto northern facing coasts, and also into the west and southwest. A lot of dry weather elsewhere. Afternoon temperatures of 1C to 5C with very light winds or calm conditions.
“Widespread sharp frost Monday night with temperatures falling to between 0C and -4C or -5C. Clear spells with scattered wintry showers. Outbreaks of sleet and snow may affect parts of the west and south too. Some freezing fog will likely form with little wind over land.”
For the remainder of next week, it said: “Cold Tuesday with lying frost or ice. There will be some sleet and snow showers in places. Bright or sunny spells too. Afternoon temperatures of just 1C to 4C with light to moderate variable or northerly breezes, fresher near Atlantic coasts.
“Lowest temperatures of -2C to -6C overnight Tuesday with further sleet and snow showers. A sharp to severe frost with icy stretches and lying snow in parts. Some freezing fog patches too.
“Sunny spells with scattered wintry showers on Wednesday, mainly in the west and north. Highs of 3 to 6 degrees but feeling very cold in a brisk northerly wind. Temperatures will likely fall below zero again on Wednesday night.
“Turning much milder on Thursday with a spell of rain and fresh southerly winds moving in from the Atlantic. The rain will be preceded by some sleet and hill snow for a time in the north and east.
“Friday looks fairly dry and bright with temperatures of 5C to 10C, coldest in the northeast.
“Mild and changeable for next weekend with temperatures around 8C to 10C.”
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