The great thaw: Arctic temperatures to make way but Storm Isha on the way 

A robin on a branch of a tree covered in frost. Picture: Denis Minihane.

The temperatures from the recent arctic blast are set to thaw this weekend but there will be more unsettled wet and windy weather over the coming days. 

Temperatures overnight plummeted to lows of -7.3C in some places as a cold weather advisory, which has been in place since last Sunday, expired at midday.

However, bad weather of a different sort will hit this weekend with Met Éireann issuing a wind warning for the entire country on Sunday. Storm Isha has been named by the UK Met Office, Met Éireann said and it will "bring yellow level winds to Ireland on Sunday".

The status yellow warning will be in place from 11am on Sunday until 6am on Monday. 

The forecaster is warning of "very strong and gusty southwest winds" and potential impacts will include significant coastal waves, difficult travelling conditions and debris and loose objects displaced.

Reeds covered in frost in the current spell of cold weather. Picture: Denis Minihane.

More generally, the weather on Friday morning will be "cold and frosty" with icy stretches, according to Met Éireann. 

However, it will become "generally dry and sunny" as the day goes on. It will still be "quite cold" with highest temperatures of 3C to 7C expected.

Rain will develop in the west on Friday night and spread eastwards across the country, but overnight temperatures will rise to between 4C and 7C.

Saturday will be a "much milder day" with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Some dry spells will develop in the afternoon, but a more persistent spell of rain will spread from the west again on Saturday evening.

It will also be "noticeably windier" but temperature highs of 7C to 11C are predicted.

⚠️#StormIsha has been named by the UK Met Office⚠️

#StormIsha will bring very strong winds to Ireland on Sunday🌬️

Wind Warning details➡️https://t.co/RMepExdJHx

Warnings will be updated so please keep an eye on https://t.co/nYumITXWOg and the Met Éireann app📲 pic.twitter.com/eUgNU7Tw9w

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 19, 2024

Sunday will also be wet and windy with heavy rain spreading from the southwest, and strong to near gale force and gusty southerly winds developing.

Highest temperatures on Sunday will reach 11C to 13C.

Sunday night will be "very windy and wet with very strong and gusty southwest winds and gales on coasts."

Widespread heavy showers will become more scattered overnight as winds veer westerly.

Temperatures overnight on Sunday may drop to 3C, Met Éireann said. 

Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be a "blustery day" with fresh and gusty westerly winds. There will be scattered showers, some may be heavy with a chance of hail.