Sharp frost and icy stretches expected as nationwide low temperature warning issued

Moore Park weather station in Cork recorded one of the lowest overnight temperature across the country at a freezing –6.3C

Frost on the grass on a cold January morning.

Met Éireann has issued a nationwide status yellow low temperature and ice warning with an Arctic airmass causing sub-zero temperatures.

It comes as temperatures plummet overnight with freezing temperatures in many parts.

Moore Park weather station in Cork recorded one of the lowest overnight temperatures across the country at 5am on Tuesday, with a freezing –6.3C.

This morning, the mercury dropped even further, with a temperature of -7.4C recorded at Thomastown weather station in Kilkenny.

It will again be cold on Tuesday night with lows of -4C expected in many parts.

The latest warning from Met Éireann will come into effect at 6pm and will remain in place until 11am on Wednesday.

Met Éireann said it will be "very cold this evening, tonight and on Wednesday morning with severe frost and icy stretches".

The forecaster has 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.

A status yellow warning for snow and ice has also been issued for Co Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo as the forecaster says snow showers will lead to some accumulations.

The alert will come into effect at 7am on Wednesday and stay in place until 11am on Thursday. Met Éireann is warning that it could lead to some travel and service disruption and difficult travel conditions. 

A weather advisory has also been issued 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".

Met Éireann has forecast a week of very cold temperatures, with rain at the weekend.  Picture: Niall Carson/PA

It comes as Cork Simon said it experienced a “busy night” on Monday night and there are grave concerns for the well being of those sleeping rough in the city.

The charity's campaigns and communications officer Paul Sheehan said: "We have been experiencing these busy nights for quite some time now.

“It is nothing new, but we would always be concerned for the health of people sleeping rough at any point of the year.

“We would be concerned that people are especially vulnerable at this time of the year, particularly when you think that people sleeping rough have a range of complex physical and mental health needs.”

Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather expects the cold snap to last well into the week, with temperatures to rise slightly throughout Tuesday.

“Temperatures may get a little higher than yesterday, but a very very cold night again tonight, with very icy conditions wherever those showers do fall,” he said.

Tuesday is set to be another "very cold" day, with lingering fog in parts of the country.

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.

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.