Fresh ice warning issued as temperatures to fall to -5C with possible snow for Munster

Mon, 16 Jan, 2023 - 11:39

Steven Heaney and Rebecca Laffan

Another status yellow low temperature and ice warning is to come into effect this afternoon, bringing temperatures as low as -5C this evening as an Arctic airflow continues to bring frosty and icy conditions to most of the country.

The fresh warning, issued this morning, will come into effect at 4pm and will last until midday Tuesday.

"Icy stretches leading to hazardous travelling conditions, especially on untreated roads and paths," said Met Éireann.

"Wintry showers in the northwest and southwest. Accumulations possible, especially in mountainous areas, leading to disruption."

A nationwide status yellow ice warning, issued at 6pm on Sunday evening, remains in place until midday, and a winter weather advisory, which came into effect on Friday, will continue until 12pm on Thursday.

Met Éireann says this morning and early afternoon will be cold, with sharp frost and ice clearing slowly.

The forecaster says there will be severe frosts and icy stretches on roads and footpaths, with some showers of hail, sleet and snow also expected. There is also a risk of freezing fog.

Met Éireann also says there will be updates to the advisory and warnings are expected in the coming days.

Very cold overnight Sunday/Monday,very cold over the next few days and nights,with temps getting as low as -5C🥶🥶

Becoming milder from Thursday onwards. 🌡️📈

Min temps overnight ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vqTWdbo0hJ
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 16, 2023

This morning and afternoon, frost and ice will be slow to clear with scattered showers also expected in Ulster and west Munster. Elsewhere, however, it will be mainly dry. Temperatures today will range between 1C and 4C.

Tonight will be very cold, with "widespread severe frost" and patches of mist and fog likely to take hold by the late evening. Parts of Kerry and Cork may even see some snowfall tonight, with temperatures predicted to drop to -5C in some areas.

Tomorrow will also be quite cold, with early morning frost and ice slow to melt and sleet expected, particularly later in the day.

Amid the weather advisory, motorists have been told to take extra precautions and expect "hazardous travelling conditions" especially on untreated roads and footpaths.

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