Updated on Thursday 9th of January 2025, until further notice.
OVERVIEW
The bitterly cold Arctic airmass that has been affecting the country for the last few days will start to move away with milder conditions developing later in the weekend.
It will remain very cold on Thursday, 9th January, with difficult travelling conditions on the roads and underfoot as well as some transport disruptions.
Cold again overnight on Thursday with widespread sharp frost and icy stretches.
An Orange Low Temperature / Ice warning has been issued for many counties overnight on Thursday and into Friday morning
A weather front will approach the southwest coast on Thursday night and will start to slowly move north-eastwards overnight and through Friday.
It will still be cold for many counties on Friday morning with difficult conditions and temperatures will be slow to increase through the day.
This front will initially give sleet and snow on higher ground but will gradually turn to rain as the front moves north eastwards through Friday
Then on Friday night temperatures are likely to fall just below freezing in some parts of the country
Met Éireann’s Head of Forecasting Eoin Sherlock says:
“This prolonged spell of cold, impactful weather is coming to its end this weekend. It is important to note that there will still be dangerous conditions on Thursday and in some places on Friday. On Thursday night a weather front will move into the southwest of the country and it will initially bring some sleet and snow, particularly on higher ground. However, this precipitation will transition to rain as the front moves slowly north eastwards on Friday. The front will cause temperatures to raise a few degrees, with values still in the low single figures for inland areas. Then on Friday night temperatures are likely to stay just above freezing. Temperatures will range from 4 to 8 degrees on Saturday, and temperatures should fall to between 2 and 6 degrees in general. It will be Sunday before temperatures really start to increase with highs of 8 to 11 degrees as a milder airmass takes its place over the country.”
Airmass Temperatures on Thursday through to Monday (9-13th of January)
Issued on Sunday 05th of January 2025, valid until further notice
OVERVIEW
Bitterly cold Arctic airmass dominates this week.
Very cold nights with widespread sharp frost, icy stretches and lying snow persisting. Please keep up to date with relevant warnings on met.ie.
Airmass Temperatures showing cold Arctic airmass (blue colours) staying with us until the end of the week.
Daytime temperatures will struggle to rise above zero in many areas, meaning little to no respite from the frost and ice or melt of lying snow.
This will cause very difficult traveling conditions on the roads and underfoot and transport disruptions.
Wintry showers on Monday (6th of January) into Tuesday (7th of January) of rain, hail, sleet and snow, mainly in northern and western coasts but drifting further inland in fresh and gusty north-westerly winds, leading to further accumulations in some areas and poor visibility in any showers.
Wintry showers of rain, sleet and snow (green colours) on Monday through to Tuesday (6-7th of January).
Winds will also drop off on Tuesday (7th of January) and Wednesday (8th of January) allowing fog and freezing fog to form, which may linger in some areas through the day.
Met Éireann’s Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman, explains:
“This prolonged cold spell will bring very hazardous conditions over the next few days with no real opportunity for melt of significant lying snow. Given there has been a lot of snow over the weekend, as well as rain which has now frozen, there will be really dangerous conditions on the roads. The icy conditions will be particularly impactful for some road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists, so alternative travel should be considered if possible.”
Really slippery on footpaths too so tricky conditions underfoot. We’d ask the public give extra time for any travel that they have to make.”
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING WINTRY WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
Stay up-to date with the forecast and the warnings on met.ie, the Met Éireann app or Met Éireann socials (@meteireann).
Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather; people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.
People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
People travelling long journeys check weather/ road conditions not just where they are starting from, but at their destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly.
NOTE THAT:
Warnings can be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ieand the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
Cold Weather (6th – 10th January 2025)
Updated on Thursday 9th of January 2025, until further notice.
OVERVIEW
The bitterly cold Arctic airmass that has been affecting the country for the last few days will start to move away with milder conditions developing later in the weekend.
Met Éireann’s Head of Forecasting Eoin Sherlock says:
“This prolonged spell of cold, impactful weather is coming to its end this weekend. It is important to note that there will still be dangerous conditions on Thursday and in some places on Friday.
On Thursday night a weather front will move into the southwest of the country and it will initially bring some sleet and snow, particularly on higher ground. However, this precipitation will transition to rain as the front moves slowly north eastwards on Friday. The front will cause temperatures to raise a few degrees, with values still in the low single figures for inland areas. Then on Friday night temperatures are likely to stay just above freezing.
Temperatures will range from 4 to 8 degrees on Saturday, and temperatures should fall to between 2 and 6 degrees in general. It will be Sunday before temperatures really start to increase with highs of 8 to 11 degrees as a milder airmass takes its place over the country.”
Airmass Temperatures on Thursday through to Monday (9-13th of January)
Issued on Sunday 05th of January 2025, valid until further notice
OVERVIEW
Bitterly cold Arctic airmass dominates this week.
Airmass Temperatures showing cold Arctic airmass (blue colours) staying with us until the end of the week.
Wintry showers of rain, sleet and snow (green colours) on Monday through to Tuesday (6-7th of January).
Met Éireann’s Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman, explains:
“This prolonged cold spell will bring very hazardous conditions over the next few days with no real opportunity for melt of significant lying snow. Given there has been a lot of snow over the weekend, as well as rain which has now frozen, there will be really dangerous conditions on the roads. The icy conditions will be particularly impactful for some road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists, so alternative travel should be considered if possible.”
Really slippery on footpaths too so tricky conditions underfoot. We’d ask the public give extra time for any travel that they have to make.”
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING WINTRY WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
NOTE THAT:
Warnings can be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ieand the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
Eolas Fúinn