The entire country has been hit with a Yellow Weather Warning ahead of a snap temperature plunge, with Orange or Red alerts not ruled out.
Temperatures will fall as low as -7C on Thursday 2 January with -3C expected in many areas. Ice and freezing fog will present a huge travel hazard, both on the roads and on footpaths.
A low temperature warning comes into effect on Thursday evening 2 January at 6pm and runs until Friday 3 January at 11am. Met Eireann issued the warning on Thursday morning ahead of the temperature plunge: “Status Yellow – Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland. Met Éireann Weather Warning: Very cold with widespread frost and ice as temperatures fall to -3 degrees or below in many areas.
“Potential Impacts: Hazardous travelling conditions and animal welfare issues. Valid: 18:00 Thursday 02/01/2025 to 11:00 Friday 03/01/2025”.
Ireland’s Weather Channel said there was “a great deal of uncertainty” over the exact locations where snow will fall and stick. However, the popular atmospheric science communicator explained that there were some hints as to where to expect the heaviest fall.
The popular weather channel said that a line running from north Co Clare to Co Wicklow represents the southern bound of the heaviest snow falls. North of this, snow and ice can be expected with 20-25cm (8-10 inches)
Ireland’s Weather Channel explained in layman’s terms: “A developing area of low pressure is expected to deepen as it approaches Ireland on Saturday, with the low pressure centre by then expected to be just off the south coast. Cold air in sitúe will result in heavy frontal precipitation falling as snow along its northern edge, with rain and sleet likely closer to the south and southeast coast due to warmer sea temperatures and or onshore winds along the east coast.”
Icy weather will stick around
Ireland’s Weather Channel continued: “Upper air temperatures indicate that the 850hPa temperature will range from -7 in the northwest to +3 along the south coast with the 0 degrees Celsius 850hPa isothermal located in a line from north Kerry to south Wicklow. Anywhere north of this like therefore is expected to see some snow, where dew point temperatures are also expected to be 0 degrees Celsius, a key factor in the snow making process in mid latitude regions.
“In terms of the snowfall areas north of this boundary line, we could see snowfall accumulations widely of 5-10cm, with some models indicating that certain elevated areas above 150-200 metres could see up to 20-25cm of snow, with values of over 40cm possible over the highest ground of the midlands, west and northeast, with disruption a possibility to rural upland communities in particular.
“With regards the timing of this event the latest projections indicate that snowfall may commence by 3-4pm on Saturday, and may well persist up until 3-4pm on Sunday as the aforementioned low pressure system deepens and its frontal precipitation pivots over Ireland. Further snow showers are possible for the west and north in particular as this system pulls away to the northeast.”
A 14-degree swing is also on the way on Tuesday 7 January 2024, with the national forecaster cautioning the public over hard freeze. Temperatures will reach as high as 4C on Tuesday, but Met Eireann warned that temperatures could plunge as low as -10C on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning: “Extremely cold with temperatures expected to fall to between -10 and -3 degrees in light variable breezes.”
Join Galway Beo’s top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.