Arctic air to bring 'winter hazards' as Munster issued with ice warning
Met Éireann has warned of low temperature issues for vulnerable people and "animal welfare issues" as a result of the freezing temperatures. File picture: Larry Cummins
Temperatures will plummet to lows of -5C this week as the cold spell continues to bite with Arctic air bringing "winter hazards".
It comes as Met Éireann has issued a number of weather warnings for snow, ice and low temperatures. A Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning will impact those in Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan.
It warns that it will be "very cold this evening, tonight and on Tuesday morning with severe frost and icy stretches". It adds that it will be coldest over the southern half of the country. The warning comes into effect at 6pm on Monday and will remain in place until 11am on Tuesday.
The forecaster has also warned of low-temperature issues for vulnerable people and "animal welfare issues" as a result of the freezing temperatures. Difficult travelling conditions are also expected on Tuesday morning, following a night of sub-zero temperatures with lows of -5C expected on Monday night.
A Status Yellow snow-ice warning also comes into effect at 6pm on Monday for Co Donegal. The warning, which will remain in effect until 11am on Tuesday, promises “scattered wintry showers” that may lead to “small accumulations” of sleet or snow.
A Status Yellow snow-ice warning has also been issued for Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Louth. It is in place from midnight on Tuesday until 11am.
Met Éireann has also issued a weather advisory for the entire country, with “sharp to severe frosts” expected, causing icy stretches nationwide. The advisory, which came into effect on Sunday, will remain in place up until midday on Friday.
"Arctic air will bring winter hazards this coming week," Met Éireann said. "Sharp to severe frosts" are expected "with icy stretches on roads and pavements". Met Éireann added that "some sleet or snow will occur at times too, mostly for northern areas, and especially for hills".
Meanwhile, Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather is predicting a “bitterly cold week”, with falling temperatures over the next few days. “It’s going to be a very cold week, so staying cold right up until Friday, with hard frost at night time and low temperatures during the day.
“There's a risk of more showers, especially in the North and North West, with some wintery falls again, but really a bitterly cold week with some icy conditions,” he said.
While Monday will be "very cold" according to Met Éireann, most places "will be dry with sunny spells".
Monday night will see frost and icy patches and it will become "cloudier in Ulster, north Connacht and north Leinster with outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow moving developing in the northwest and spreading eastwards overnight".
Tuesday will bring another cold day, with motorists advised to take caution on roads with the risk of lingering frost or ice in places. "Some further outbreaks of rain, sleet or snow" are expected in Ulster, north Connacht and north Leinster, "turning mostly to rain" the forecaster said.
Those in the south will experience some sunshine, with temperatures of 2C to 6C expected. Tuesday night will bring some light rain and drizzle to those along the southern half of the country, with cold temperatures of between -4C to -1C in some areas.
The forecaster has warned of a "sharp to severe frost and icy stretches forming" in areas overnight on Tuesday.
Wednesday will be "a bitterly cold day with frost, ice, fog and freezing fog at first leading to hazardous travelling conditions," Met Éireann said, adding that this will be slow to clear through the morning.
"Otherwise, a largely dry day with good spells of winter sunshine, though scattered showers of sleet and snow will affect the north and northwest." Temperatures will climb to highs of 4C but will fall to lows of -5C to -2C for "another very cold night" on Wednesday.
Thursday will follow suit with "a frosty or icy start, followed by another very cold day with scattered wintry showers in the north and northwest." Temperatures will be similar to Wednesday, with highs of 5C falling to lows of -5C to -2C overnight.
Elsewhere, outreach teams working within the homeless sector have increased their checks and are urging any rough sleepers to avail of their day or café services.
Paul Sheehan from Cork Simon Community says their emergency centre is already "packed to the gills".
“People sleeping rough are particularly vulnerable to the weather and to the elements. We are always concerned for people's health at any time of year, when they're sleeping rough it can impact on a person's physical and mental health very quickly.
“When the weather is this cold and the temperatures dip below zero we are particularly concerned,” he said.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
