Bitter start to 2026 as temperatures to drop to -3C with snow possible

Thu, 01 Jan, 2026 - 12:41

David Kent

The start of 2026 is set to be bitterly cold, with temperatures expected to fall as low as -3C in parts of Ireland.

New Year’s Day began nippy, and those conditions are set to persist through the first weekend of the year.

Met Éireann said there is a chance of wintry showers as the cold snap takes hold.

Outbreaks of rain will spread southwards from the north overnight on Thursday, before becoming confined to the southern half of the country by morning.

Frost and patches of ice will also develop overnight, with temperatures dropping to lows of between -1C and 3C.

Conditions will remain cold on Friday, with further showers feeding in from the north and west.

The national forecaster said some of these showers may fall as sleet or snow, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 2C to 6C.

High pressure will “remain nearby”, Met Éireann said in its national outlook.

This will lead to “severe” frosts developing at times.

Most areas will stay dry on Friday evening with clear spells, though scattered sleet and snow showers will persist in the north and northwest, with lows falling to around -2C.

Frost and icy conditions will be slow to clear on Saturday morning.

Met Éireann said Saturday will be another generally dry and bright day, with spells of sunshine, although isolated rain and sleet showers remain possible in the north and northwest.

Saturday night is expected to be the coldest of the week, with temperatures dropping to -3C.

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