Ireland is set to endure a dramatic 72 hour Arctic blast with Met Eireann warning that temperatures will plunge by as much as 12C, alongside frost and icy conditions.
08:43, 28 Nov 2025Updated 08:47, 28 Nov 2025
Met Eireann has forecast icy and frosty conditions (file photo)(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Ireland is bracing for a dramatic weather shift as a 72 hour Arctic blast grips the nation, bringing a sudden freeze and a stark drop in temperatures.
Met Eireann has warned that temperatures are expected to plummet by as much as 12C in the coming hours, creating icy conditions across the country.
This morning, much of Ireland woke up to wet and windy conditions, with heavy rain and gusts making for a miserable start to the day. The blustery weather is set to intensify throughout the afternoon, with the added possibility of hail and isolated thunderstorms in some areas.
While daytime highs will reach around 10C today, overnight temperatures will fall sharply, marking the start of the sudden freeze. Saturday will see a dramatic shift, with daytime highs of just 5C, accompanied by heavy showers and the potential for more thunderstorms.
The real shock comes after dark on Saturday, when temperatures are expected to plummet to as low as -2C in some areas. Frost and icy patches will develop, creating treacherous conditions. This represents a 10C drop from the highs seen the previous day.
The cold snap will continue on Sunday, with daytime highs struggling to reach even 4C, keeping Ireland in the grip of the freeze.
The full weekend forecast reads: “A blustery day Friday with widespread showers, turning heavy at times with the possibility of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Showers will continue through the afternoon, merging into longer spells of rain for parts of the north and northwest where it will also stay cloudy. However, brighter spells will have a chance to break through elsewhere for a time. Cool today with highs of just 7C to 10C in moderate to fresh and gusty southwest winds, and gales on the coast.
“Friday night will be similar with scattered showers for most. Again, some turning heavy at times with the chance of isolated hail and thunder. Later overnight, more persistent rain will spread over parts of the north and west for a time. Lowest temperatures of 0C to 4C with a chance of frost developing too, in mostly light or variable winds.
“Saturday will start off cloudy in the morning with scattered showers feeding down from the north, turning heavy at times with the chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms possible. Brighter spells will develop later on in the day towards the early evening with drier spells developing. Come nightfall, showers will start to move in from the west. Another cold day with highs of just 5C to 9C in light to moderate north to northwest winds, fresh at times in the southwest.
“A cold Saturday night with scattered showers in parts of the north and west early but staying mostly dry and clear elsewhere. Lowest overnight temperatures of -2C to 2C , with frost and icy patches possible, in light westerly or variable winds.
“Cold and frosty to start Sunday with some winter sunshine in the morning. Cloud will build from the west early and gradually spread eastwards with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Highs of 4C to 8C in light to moderate southerly winds.
“Early on Sunday night will start off cloudy and wet as that rain continues to clear eastwards. A clearance will follow in behind, with cloudy conditions lingering in the north and south. Scattered showers will mainly affect southern counties overnight, before merging into longer spells of rain towards morning and spreading northward. Lowest temperatures of 2C to 6C, coldest under clear skies in light to moderate southerly winds.”
Looking ahead to next week, temperatures are expected to improve, but the national forecaster has warned that an Atlantic conveyor belt of storms will bring unsettled weather.
Met Eireann stated: “Low pressure will be dominant, bringing generally unsettled conditions. Atlantic fronts will spread across the country from the southwest with frequent spells of rain and showers. Rainfall amounts will be above average nationwide as a result. The southwesterly airflow will also bring a mild airmass across Ireland, with above average temperatures expected.”
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