Overnight temperatures of -6.7C in Cork with another 'bitterly cold day' ahead

Ted Dineen from Gurranabraher hand feeds Geese on a very cold, frosty morning when the temperature got as low as -5 degrees at the Lough in Cork. Picture: David Creedon

Temperature lows of -6.7C were recorded at a weather station in Cork overnight as the country continues to navigate an Arctic airmass sweeping through Ireland.

That temperature was recorded at Moore Park weather station, as Cork City saw the mercury fall to -4.5C.

It comes as two weather warnings are currently in place across the country.

A nationwide status yellow low temperature and ice warning has been extended until 12pm on Thursday. The warning came into effect at 6pm on Tuesday and Met Éireann said it will be "staying very cold with severe frost and icy stretches" expected.

Met Éireann has also issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. The alert came into effect on Wednesday morning and will remain in place until 6pm on Thursday. The forecaster said "snow showers will lead to some accumulations".

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. 

Wednesday will be "a bitterly cold day with frost, ice, fog and freezing fog at first leading to hazardous travelling conditions," Met Éireann said. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Met Éireann added that "some sleet or snow will occur at times too, mostly for northern areas, and especially for hills".

'Bitterly cold'

Meanwhile, Wednesday will be "a bitterly cold day with frost, ice, fog and freezing fog at first leading to hazardous travelling conditions," Met Éireann said. 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 -1C for "another very cold night" on Wednesday.

Thursday is expected to continue along the same pattern, with "frost, ice and snow" threatening to appear throughout the day. Highest temperatures of 1C to 5C are expected.

Thursday night will be a "very cold" one, with widespread sharp to severe frost, leading to icy stretches in the morning. Temperatures will again hit lows of -5C.

Friday "will start off cold and bright with widespread frost and icy stretches" however, it will not be quite as cold as previous days "with afternoon highs of 2C to 6C".

By Saturday, it will be "noticeably milder and breezier than previous days with afternoon temperatures of 6C to 10C".

Saturday night will be mainly dry with lowest temperatures of 2C to 5C, according to Met Éireann.