The national forecaster has warned that freezing weather will continue throughout the festive period with the potential for a rare weather phenomenon
Fog in Dublin (stock)(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)
Freezing conditions continue to hold Ireland in their grip this Christmas Day, with Met Éireann cautioning that the cold spell shows no indication of letting up throughout the festive season.
The national forecaster indicates that the frigid weather will persist right through Christmas and into the new year, bringing harsh overnight temperatures, extensive frost and the possibility of an uncommon weather phenomenon emerging in the coming days.
Today, many people are experiencing a crisp, frosty morning after overnight temperatures fell below freezing. Conditions are expected to stay cold for the remainder of the day.
Providing its Christmas Day forecast, Ireland’s weather service stated: “A frosty start to Christmas Day across much of the country, with some icy stretches. Today will be cold and dry with sunny spells for most but it may be cloudier at times near eastern and southern coasts. Highest temperatures of 4C to 7C with mainly light to moderate east to northeast winds, fresher along eastern and southern coasts.
“Christmas night will be cold, dry and mostly clear, although some cloud is possible near eastern and southern coasts and there’ll be patches of mist and fog. Lowest temperatures of -3C to 2C generally, with frost and ice forming on untreated surfaces, but less cold near the east coast with lowest temperatures of 3C to 6C . East to northeast winds will be mainly light to moderate.”, reports the Irish Mirror.
Looking towards St Stephen’s Day, the cold conditions persist, with predominantly dry and bright – albeit chilly – weather expected for most areas. The forecast states: “St Stephen’s Day, will be dry and sunny in most areas. It will be cloudier near the south coast and at times near the east coast. Cold, with highest temperatures of 4C to 8C and mainly light to moderate east to northeast winds, fresh near the east and south coast.
“St Stephen’s night will be dry and cold with variable cloud. Lowest temperatures of -1C to 4C generally, but again, less cold near the east coast. Winds will be light to moderate northeasterly, fresher in eastern and southern coastal parts.”
Fog (stock photo)(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.)
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has cautioned that the continuing cold spell may trigger an unusual weather phenomenon. The present mix of high pressure, still winds and sub-zero temperatures could lead to the development of freezing fog patches.
Freezing fog is regarded as quite uncommon in Ireland, as it only develops when highly specific atmospheric conditions align. The fog consists of supercooled water droplets, which means the moisture stays in liquid form even as temperatures drop below freezing – resulting in especially dangerous road conditions.
The forecast predicts “patches of mist and fog or freezing fog” for Sunday night, with the final days of the year expected to see: “High pressure looks set to remain in the lead up to the New Year, meaning settled weather but also the likelihood of widespread frost, fog and freezing fog, which could be slow to clear by day.”
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