Met Éireann's warning for cold and ice in effect for 10 counties as temperatures fall

The forecasted cold snap continues as Met Éireann warns of a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) for this month.

Met Éireann's status yellow low temperature and ice warning for 10 counties has come into effect as temperatures tumble.

The warning, which covers Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford and Clare came into effect this evening at 6pm and will last until 10am on Wednesday.

Temperatures of -1C to -5C are expected in Connacht and Ulster while temperatures may fall even lower locally.

A widespread severe frost is expected while icy patches can form on untreated surfaces.

Meanwhile, scattered wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow can be expected in parts of Munster and Leinster, mainly in eastern areas.

Widespread frost and ice is expected across the entire country.

Forecaster Liz Walsh says the recent cold snap will continue over the coming days.

She told Newstalk: "Temperatures have been below average since before the new year and they are going to continue to be below average at least until the end of this week.

"There'll be slightly warmer temperatures coming on Thursday, but then another very cold day looks likely on Friday as well and it will remain quite cold, but possibly a little less cold, as we go into the weekend."

The lowest temperatures of -1C to -5C are expected in Connacht and Ulster where temperatures may fall even lower locally.

Tomorrow, temperatures will remain low but it will be mostly dry across the country, with a few scattered wintry showers in Leinster.

Highs of 1C and 4C are expected, but temperatures could remain at 0C and below in the midlands and west.

In Munster, early frost and ice will clear very slowly throughout the day. Temperatures are expected to reach between 1C and 4C, but will remain below 0C locally.

 

The forecasted cold snap continues as Met Éireann warns of a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) for this month.

Met Éireann has said it is not certain what effect this SSW will have on the country’s weather for the coming weeks as every SSW produces different results.

Less than half of SSW’s lead to colder weather conditions in Ireland however in February 2018, a SSW led to the Beast from the East storms that blanketed the country in unusual heavy snow.

The State forecaster said Ireland is already in a “very blocked pressure set up” which is contributing to the uncertainty.

A Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) is forecast for early January 2021.
It is uncertain how this will affect our weather in the coming weeks as Ireland is already in a very blocked pressure setup.
Read more on this in our New Meteorologist's Commentary https://t.co/8m3ZjBI7hk pic.twitter.com/EIOOteGus6

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 4, 2021

Ms Walsh added it will be particularly chilly in the west and north.

"It's definitely below average for sure, she said.

"What we have at the moment is high pressure anchored to the north-west of Ireland the UK and that's bringing very light winds.

"As we go through tonight those winds are going to die away and they're going to become quite light, especially in the west and north-west of the country - perfect conditions for very cold temperatures to occur."