Met Éireann freezing 'Arctic airmass' warning in first 'winter' weather forecast

MET Éireann is warning that temperatures could fall as low as -4 in places as the current cold snap looks set to continue into the weekend as meteorological offically winter begins.

The first of two status yellow low temperature/ice warnings remains in effect until midday with a second warning due to come into effect at 5pm.

In its latest forecast, Met Éireann says it will be very cold with temperatures likely to drop well-below freezing overnight.

"Mostly dry overnight with isolated showers, possibly of sleet or snow, mainly across the northwest. Very cold with lowest temperatures of 0 to - 4 degrees with a widespread sharp frost and icy patches. Mist and fog in parts too." it reads.

National outlook from Met Éireann is for very cold with frost, ice and some wintry precipitation through the weekend. It said it will be less cold by next week. More below.

This morning any frost, ice & mist will gradually clear

Very cold & bright today with sunshine & scattered showers. These mainly in the north, west & eastern coasts ️️

Some showers will fall as hail or sleet ❄️

Highs: 2-6°C ️

More here https://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/QemYa59hg2

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 1, 2023

National weather forecast issued by Met Éireann at 8.57am on December 1.

Friday: It will be a very cold day with frost and ice slow to clear. Bright with spells of sunshine and scattered showers, mainly in the west, north and midlands, though the odd shower will still affect eastern coasts. Some showers will fall as hail and sleet. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in just a light variable breeze.

A cold night with well scattered showers over the western half of the country, possibly falling as sleet or snow at times. Staying drier further east. Turning foggy in places with freezing fog developing too. Widespread frost and icy stretches once again with lowest temperatures of 0 to -4 degrees.

Saturday: A frost, icy and foggy start for many tomorrow. Some frost and ice patches may linger in sheltered spots but most will clear to scattered showers and sunny spells. Showers will be most frequent in the west and northwest and some will be heavy with hail, sleet and snow possible. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 5 degrees, a little milder near coasts, in light west to southwest winds.

Cold overnight, with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle moving in off the Atlantic, possibly turning wintry over higher ground. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees, with light variable breezes.

SUNDAY: Likely be a mostly dry day with showers lingering near coasts, along with low cloud or mist struggling to clear through the day. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees, with light northeasterly breezes.

MONDAY: Current indications suggest that wet and windy weather will spread over the south and east of the country early on Monday, with the possibility of scattered falls of sleet. Coldest in the north with milder weather possible in the south.

FURTHER OUTLOOK: Considerable uncertainty in the further outlook, with a signal for a return to a more Atlantic regime.

Promise that Portlaoise's hazardous pole is for the chop

In a blog posted online, meteorologist Aoife Kealy explained: “An Arctic airmass is going to sink across us this week, bringing noticeably colder conditions than we’ve had lately. Daytime temperatures will struggle to get above the low single figures. Night time temperatures will be near freezing or below through the week too so that means there’ll be widespread frost and some ice. On top of that, light winds will allow fog to develop overnight, becoming dense in places. Any frost, ice and fog will be slow to clear in the mornings making travel difficult at times. So, extra care will be needed on the roads.”

While primary routes and heavily-used footpaths were treated on Thursday evening, road users are being urged to exercise caution if travelling this Friday morning.