Laois in new Status Orange weather warning as freeze continues

Laois is set to be covered in a blanket of dense freezing fog which Met Éireann has said is hazardous enough to cause the issuing of its second highest alert.

The freezing fog alert was issued by the forecaster as the cold snap continues to freeze Ireland and cause hazardous conditions.

Status Orange fog alert covers Connacht, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary.

It warns of freezing fog, which will be dense in places, that will persist through the afternoon and into tonight, leading to very hazardous driving conditions.

The warning is valid right through Thursday, December 13.

It was issued following a Status Orange alert for ice and low temperatures that expired at noon on Monday.

However, the forecaster has also issued a Status Yellow - low temperature/Ice warning for Ireland that extends through to the weekend.

It says the weather will remain very cold through the week with widespread sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches. It warns of some showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur, mainly near coasts. Met Éireann expects accumulations at lower levels are expected to remain low.

The freezing fog will continue to occur at times, with winds remaining light over land.

Met Éireann outlines the possible impacts:

• Treacherous conditions on paths and roads
• Travel disruption
• Potential supply disruption
• Potential for burst water pipes and damage to engines
• Increased risks to vulnerable members of the community
• Animal welfare issues
• Slack winds over land leading to reduced wind power generation

The Status Yellow alert is valid through to noon on Friday, December 16.

Met  Éireann says there is considerable uncertainty remains for the weekend and into next week. However, it says the early indications are that conditions will turn somewhat warmer but very unsettled on Sunday with some prolonged spells of rain.

MORE FORECAST DETAILS BELOW TWEET

Ice days, where the maximum temperature in a day does not rise above 0°C, have provisionally been recorded at 4 synoptic stations over the weekend.The last Ice day in Ireland was 6 Dec 2020 at Dunsany and before that it was at numerous stations 2 Mar 2018 during Storm Emma pic.twitter.com/e7PVEyJRVw

— Irish Observational Climatology (@METclimate) December 12, 2022

National forecast issued at 11.24am on December 12.

Monday: Bitterly cold with severe frost, icy conditions and freezing fog lingering in many places all leading to very hazardous travelling conditions. Frequent showers in west Connacht, falling as sleet or snow away from coasts. Isolated wintry showers will move into eastern and southern counties at times too. Temperatures between -2 to +4 degrees, remaining below freezing for much of the north midlands. Light breezes, southeasterly or variable.

Remaining very cold overnight, especially in northern counties. Freezing fog will continue affect the northern half of the country with very hazardous driving conditions. Lowest temperatures generally ranging from -6 to 0 degrees. Generally dry with just isolated wintry showers. A widespread sharp to severe frost and icy conditions. Light to moderate easterly breezes.

Tuesday: Very cold once again with frost and ice persisting through much of the day. Mostly cloudy in the southern half of the country with rain pushing into the southwest, falling as sleet or snow in places away from the coast. It will be dry for most areas, with brighter conditions in the north. Daytime temperatures between -1 to 4 degrees in light to moderate northeasterly winds, fresher in the southwest.

Very cold night but generally dry. Just a chance of isolated wintry showers near coasts. Widespread frost and ice are expected with minimum temperatures of -5 to +1 degrees. Light to moderate northeasterly winds.

WEDNESDAY: Generally dry with a good deal of crisp winter sunshine. Just a chance of isolated wintry showers near coasts. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in mainly light northerly breezes.

Another very cold, frosty night with lows of -6 to 0 degrees. Remaining generally clear and dry with light northerly breezes. Just isolated wintry showers in the north and northwest.

THURSDAY: Largely dry and bright with afternoon temperatures 2 to 5 degrees. Just occasional wintry showers continuing in the north and northwest. Light northwesterly breezes.

FRIDAY: Showers of rain and sleet will become slightly more widespread on Friday, although much of the midlands, south and east will remain dry. Partly cloudy with occasional bright spells. Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in light southwesterly breezes.

FURTHER OUTLOOK: Considerable uncertainty remains for the weekend and into next week. Early indications are that conditions will turn somewhat warmer but very unsettled on Sunday with some prolonged spells of rain.