Slow thaw ahead as Met Éireann warns of 'treacherous' travel conditions

Met Éireann warned that travel conditions could be 'treacherous'

Temperatures are set to rise slowly over the coming days following a recent cold spell that saw the mercury drop to lows of -5.3C in parts of the country.

Two status yellow weather warnings expired at 9am on Tuesday, after Met Éireann warned of "treacherous" travel conditions overnight. Motorists are still urged to remain cautious this morning, as patches of black ice may linger, particularly on untreated roads.

More generally on Tuesday, Met Éireann said the day will start cold.

"Cloudy for most at first, outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the west will move eastwards across the country through the morning and afternoon, becoming patchier as they do so," the forecaster said. 

"Some wintery falls are possible initially before temperatures rise. A clearance to sunny spells and scattered showers will follow from the west."

Temperatures will reach highs of 3C to 8C on Tuesday, with cooler conditions in eastern areas.

Tuesday night will be "mostly clear and dry" apart from a few coastal showers. However, cloud will spread eastwards later in the night, with some "outbreaks of rain and drizzle reaching western Atlantic areas by morning."

Met Éireann said that while conditions will be less cold than recent nights, patchy frost remains possible, "with lowest temperatures of 0C to 3C, with mostly moderate westerly winds."

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, Met Éireann said it will be "less cold than as of late, but with a return to more unsettled conditions as low pressure takes hold again."

Wednesday will be dry and cloudy in most areas, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing in the west and southwest during the morning.

"Some bright spells are possible in the east and north where it will remain dry until evening."

Highest temperatures will again range from 3C to 8C.

Any rain or drizzle in the east will clear on Wednesday night, "giving way to a mostly dry night apart from a few coastal showers."

"Some rain and drizzle may push into parts of the southwest and south too."

Temperatures will fall to between 0C and 4C on Wednesday night, before dipping back below freezing on Thursday night, with Met Éireann forecasting lows of -1C to 2C.

Met Éireann said "there is some uncertainty in the detail for Thursday", but current indications suggest "rain and drizzle further south, with drier and possibly brighter conditions further north, along with some coastal showers".