Status Orange warning from Met Éireann as freeze takes tighter grip with snow in forecast #sneachta

Met Éireann has issued an all-Ireland Status Orange weather warnings for ice and Status Yellow alert is also declared for snow for Dublin while the forecaster has put people on notice that the cold snap is set to last for days to come

With the freeze showing no signs of easing, the forecasters warning has deemed the situation serious enough to issue its second highest weather alert. The focus of attention is Sunday night into Monday.

The first Status Orange alert warns of low temperatures and ice warning for Ireland from 5pm Sunday, December 11 to noon 12 Monday, December 12.

"A severe frost and further icy stretches will set in on Sunday night, accompanied by patches of freezing fog. Temperatures likely to fall below -5 degrees in many areas," says the forecaster.

Three Status Yellow alerts are also set to extend through Sunday for fog, snow and ice.

A Status Yellow freezing fog warning for Ireland is in place through to noon on Sunday. 

"Pockets of freezing fog are expected, causing potentially hazardous travel conditions," says the alert.

A Status Yellow low temperature ice warning for Ireland sees sharp frost and further icy stretches set in on Saturday night as temperatures dip to -5 degrees in places.

It is valid from 10pm on Saturday through to noon on Sunday.

A Status Yellow snow weather warning applies to Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow from 11pm on Saturday to noon on Sunday.

"Snow showers will lead to accumulations in places, most substantial over high ground," says the forecaster.

The forecaster has also extended a weather advisor through to Wednesday, December 14.

It says it will remaining very cold into the middle of next week due to an Arctic airmass, bringing sharp to severe frosts, and ice or black ice on roads and footpaths. The advisory says some showers of hail, sleet, and snow will occur, mainly in coastal counties. It says the freezing fog is likely at times, especially this weekend. Met Éireann says winds over land will remain generally light.

Alongside this, the national forecast outlook from Met Éireann says there will be a good deal of dry weather but warns of very hazardous driving conditions.

As to the longer run, Met Éireann says current indications suggest that the very cold weather will continue on Friday and into next weekend. MORE WEATHER FORECAST DETAILS BELOW TWEET.

Updated: Winter weather advisory for Ireland️

For all warnings see➡️https://t.co/juduxcKKZG

Meteorologists commentary see➡️https://t.co/nBoHTU7Yxs

Be Winter ready see➡️https://t.co/GgyXeUmEfC pic.twitter.com/fVOjiejnQT

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 9, 2022

National Forecast issued at 1.43pm on Saturday, December 10.

Saturday: Staying very cold today with some lingering patches of frost, ice and freezing fog. Many areas will remain dry and bright through the day, although occasional wintry showers will push in to Atlantic coastal areas, mainly falling as rain or sleet. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light westerly or variable breezes.

Very cold tonight with a widespread sharp to severe frost and with ice on roads and paths. Most areas will stay dry, although there will be a few further wintry showers, some falling as snow, with accumulations possible in the east. There will be patches of freezing fog in many areas also. Lowest temperatures of -6 to -1 degrees in light northerly or variable breezes.

Sunday: Another very cold day with temperatures of just 0 to 3 degrees. Frost and fog may linger in some places all day. It will be mainly dry with some sunshine. However, some further wintry showers will affect eastern coastal counties. Winds will be light northerly or variable.

A dry dry night in most areas. However, wintry showers will affect coastal areas of Leinster early in the night and will also develop in northern and western counties overnight. Patches of freezing fog will develop inland. It will be very cold with a widespread severe frost and widespread frost and ice. Lowest temperatures of -6 to -1 degrees.

MONDAY: Continuing very cold with temperatures staying below freezing in many areas. Frost, ice and fog will persist through the day. Many areas will be dry with wintry showers mainly affecting coastal counties, especially in the east. Light easterly breezes.

Another very cold night with widespread frost, ice and patches of freezing fog and with lowest temperatures of -6 to -2 degrees. Most areas dry, but some wintry showers in coastal areas.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY: Very similar conditions as the cold spells continues. Many areas will be dry, but there will be some wintry showers at times, mainly on north and east facing coasts. Daytime temperatures will be close to zero and the nights will be very cold with severe frosts, ice and patches of freezing fog. Winds will be light and variable in direction.

Current indications suggest that the very cold weather will continue on Friday and into next weekend.