The freezing conditions show no signs of letting up anytime soon, with a meteorologist warning of an incoming weather event which could leave the country blanketed in snow
09:29, 03 Jan 2026Updated 10:16, 03 Jan 2026
The General Post Office in the city centre of Dublin in the snow
Ireland is braced for a bitterly cold weekend, with a Status Yellow snow and ice warning due to come into effect across the country today as temperatures plummet well below freezing.
The thermometer is forecast to fall to as low as -4C on Saturday and Sunday, with Met Éireann warning that wintry showers in many areas could result in snow accumulations, leading to potentially hazardous travel conditions and poor visibility.
A status yellow warning for low temperature and ice applies will come into force for all counties in Munster, and in Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow from 6pm this evening until 11am tomorrow.
Another status yellow snow and ice warning will take effect in Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Connacht and Louth from 6pm on Saturday until 11am on Sunday.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a status yellow snow and ice warning will come into effect from 6pm for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Connacht and Louth, until 11am on Monday.
Ireland can expect an Arctic blast next week(Image: PA)
The country has been warned to brace for snow accumulations and “sharp to severe” frost and ice during this period.
Unfortunately, the cold spell looks set to continue, with a leading weather expert warning that a low system is set develop near Ireland next week which could leave the country blanketed in snow.
Alan O’Reilly, the hobbyist meteorologist who runs the popular Carlow Weather social media pages, said that while there is still some uncertainty around the forecast, weather models show that the low system could unleash snow and freezing temperatures upon the country on Friday, January 9.
In a message shared with his followers on yesterday evening, O’Reilly said: “Weather models have been showing a risk of a low system developing around next Friday the 9th.
“The track is uncertain but with a chance of cold air still being in place it could be interesting if it bumps against that cold and turn to sleet or snow in some areas for a time. Could also stay South of us and miss us.”
In their latest forecast, Met Eireann said it will be very cold this weekend with sharp to severe frosts developing overnight that may be slow to clear during the days and with wintry showers, mainly in the north and northwest, before turning more unsettled from Monday night.
Weather models predict Ireland will be hit by a cold snap next week
According to the national forecaster, today will be cold with frost, ice and some lying snow this morning.
There will be plenty of dry and sunny weather but scattered wintry showers will continue, mainly affecting the north and west but with the odd flurry possible elsewhere.
Highest temperatures of just 2C to 6C are expected with light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher along northern coasts.
Tonight will be very cold with a sharp to severe frost and icy stretches. Scattered wintry showers will continue, most frequent in the north and west, with some snow accumulations. Patches of fog or freezing fog may form too, with lowest temperatures of -4C to 0C with light to moderate west to northwest or variable winds.
Sunday will be cold with frost, ice and fog or freezing fog patches slow to clear. It will be dry and sunny in the southeast but scattered wintry showers will affect the rest of the country, with some snow accumulations. Highest temperatures of just 1C to 5C are forecast, with light to moderate westerly winds.
Sunday night is expected to be very cold with a sharp to severe frost and icy stretches. Scattered wintry showers will continue, most frequent in the north and west, with some snow accumulations. Patches of fog or freezing fog may form too.
It will be another bitterly cold night, with lowest temperatures of -4C to 0C with light to moderate northwesterly winds.
Sign up to the Irish Mirror’s daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories sent direct to your inbox.