The first cold snap of the season is getting underway this week, with Met Eireann issuing a weather advisory for below 0 temperatures with frost and ice hazards.
This week, until next Friday at least, temperatures will plummet across the country as a cold northerly airmass hits Ireland from the north.
Average daytime temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees are expected across Ireland this week, dropping as low as -2 degrees overnight.
Hazards such as frost and ice are likely with the potential for sleet, snow and hail for some.
Met Éireann’s Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman, says, “After an unusually mild start to November, people are going to get quite a shock as the temperatures plummet next week.”
The situation is developing, but Liz added that there is a “high degree of certainty that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic airmass sinks over the country from the north.”
“Daytime temperatures will often range around 2 to 6 degrees with night-time temperatures widely falling below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice.”
“The northerly airflow will also bring showers of sleet and snow, these most frequent over the northern half of the country but there is potential for some showers to reach further south. These conditions will bring some hazardous travelling conditions, travel disruptions and poor visibility”
“The extent of the wintry showers in terms of snow is still unclear, but we will have more information as Met Éireann’s high resolution model comes into play, which provides forecast information two days ahead.”
This cold northerly airmass is currently predicted to remain over Ireland until next Friday, and may possibly last into next weekend as well. However, the uncertainty of this forecast increases past next Friday.
