Temperatures to hit -6C as Arctic snap drifts in
According to Met Éireann, the current cold phase can be expected to continue until the end of the month, with little chance of any mild weather before December 2.
Air temperatures tonight are expected to fall to as low as -6C, with similar freezing temperatures predicted for Thursday and Friday night.
Ground temperatures as low as -10C may also occur on some nights, with daytime temperatures expected to be in the region of 2C to 5C. But they may fall as low as 1C or 2C degrees during next week.
According to Positive Weather Solutions, this winter will be almost as cold as last winter — Ireland’s coldest since 1963.
A spokesperson for Met Éireann said while there is a chance of snow fall, it is too early to predict whether or not the country will experience a “big freeze” similar to last January’s extremes.
However, due to expected showers of hail and sleet, dangerous road conditions could become an issue later in the week.
Spokesman for AA Roadwatch Conor Faughnan said they were preparing for a spike in demand for breakdown services as the temperature drops.
“The last major cold snap we had was in January, but it is almost worse to have it in November because the fallen leaves on the road can create skid traps in icy conditions. We are advising motorists to check their tyres and batteries and to slow down because by the end of the week, roads could turn very dangerous.”
Homeowners are also being advised to protect against frozen or burst water pipes. It is estimated insurance payouts as a result of the severe weather last year could hit the €500 million mark— the most expensive losses due to weather in the history of the Irish market.
