Snow and sleet are expected to hit some parts of the country over the next few days, and a weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for six counties
Walking in a snow shower in Lucan, Co Dublin(Image: Collins Agency, Dublin)
Met Éireann has warned of frost, sleet and snow over the next few days, with some counties under a weather warning.
In their latest forecast, they have confirmed that temperatures will drop and sleet and snow are set to hit parts of the country in the coming days.
The forecaster has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in six counties, which comes into effect for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry at midnight on Friday, January 2nd, and remains in effect until 10 am.
Here is this week’s forecast:
New Year’s Day (Thursday 1st January)
A cold start to New Year’s Day with widespread frost and some icy stretches. Cloud and patchy rain will clear southwards during the morning, and there’ll be plenty of dry and bright weather for the afternoon, with just isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher near northern and northwestern coasts.
Initially dry with clear spells at first. Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will move into the north early on and gradually sink southward,s becoming patchier and easing towards morning. Further clear spells and scattered wintry showers will follow from the north. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.
Friday 2nd January
A day of good sunny spells, with some showers of sleet and snow possible, mainly in the north. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher near coasts. Continuing mostly dry and clear with some wintry showers, mainly affecting the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.
Saturday 3rd January
Frost and any ice will be slow to clear on Saturday morning. Another generally dry and bright day with spells of sunshine, though isolated showers of rain and sleet are possible in the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in moderate northwest winds. Saturday night: A few wintry showers will continue in the north and northwest on Saturday night, but it will be dry and largely clear elsewhere. Sharp frost and some ice developing with lowest temperatures of -3 to 0 degrees in light northwest winds.
Sunday 4th January
A cold day with frost lingering in sheltered spots. Once again, most areas will be dry with sunny spells, but scattered showers of rain, sleet and possibly snow will affect Ulster through the day. Daytime temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwest winds.
Monday 5th January
Another cold but mostly dry and bright day, though with the chance of isolated wintry showers. Frost and ice lingering in sheltered spots with daytime temperatures of just 1 to 5 degrees in a light northwesterly or variable breeze.