IRELAND is at risk of “heavy snow” and “very icy” conditions but there’s still uncertainty over which areas will feel the brunt of this week’s cold weather blast.
Experts said the next few days will be a nightmare to forecast, as Met Eireann predicts new lows of -4C overnight and anticipates issuing a NEW snow warning.
A Met Eireann status yellow low temperature/ice warning is in place for the entire country from 8pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday, kicking back in again on Wednesday night from 8pm until Thursday morning at 10am.
The Met Office in Northern Ireland has also issued a snow and ice warning for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry on Tuesday night.
And in their afternoon weather forecast podcast Met Eireann‘s Siobhan Ryan said they anticipate issuing a yellow status snow warning in parts of the country for tomorrow night and Thursday morning.
Preparing for the cold snap, the Department of Education also confirmed that decisions to close schools can be made at local levels, as per the Government’s Be Winter Ready advice.
In his latest weather update, Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said there’s a risk of “heavy snow” but there’s still uncertainty around where the worst of it will fall.
He said: “Cold air has arrived, rain and sleet is moving South with a risk of very icy conditions tonight and Wednesday morning.
“Wednesday night looks very interesting with a risk of heavy snow in parts but huge uncertainty on where and how much.
“This is going to be a nightmare to forecast”.
Met Eireann said tomorrow will start off dry and cold before the serious wintry weather kicks in.
The national forecaster projected lows of -3C tonight with the first hit of “local sleet” tomorrow evening, before temperatures fall even further to -4C on Wednesday night.
In today’s update, Met Eireann said: “Wednesday will begin cold and crisp with frost and ice, perhaps lingering all day in sheltered spots. Dry for most for daylight hours with low sunshine, though a few wintry showers will continue to move into Ulster.
“Later in the evening, a wintry spell of rain will move into west and southwest counties with local sleet. Another cold day with highs of 3 to 6 degrees, in light to moderate mostly northwest winds.”
They added that falls of sleet and snow are likely to hit areas in the southwest and northern coasts.
The forecaster said: “Falls of sleet and snow are likely with some accumulations possible, particularly in the southwest.
COLDEST TEMPS EVER RECORDED IN IRELAND
AS freezing conditions and low temperatures hit Ireland, the country is set to bask in ice, snow and sleet.
With temperatures setting into minus figures, it won’t beat the coldest days ever recorded on the island.
The coldest areas in Ireland are usually found inland, with coastal areas benefiting from sea breezes to keep warmer.
Mullingar, Co Westmeath has the lowest average temperature at 9.3C yearly, but it is not the coldest ever recorded area.
Here are the areas in the country that have recorded the lowest ever temperatures:
- Co Sligo: On January 16, 1881, –19.1C was recorded at Markree Castle in Collooney.
- Co Kildare: On January 2, 1979, -18.8C was recorded in Lullymore.
- Co Longford: On February 7, 1895, -17.8C was recorded in Mostrim while the area also saw the coldest July temperature ever at -0.3C on July 8, 1889.
- Co Sligo: Again at Markree Castle, -17.2C was recorded on March 3, 1947, -8.3C on October 31, 1926 and -7.7C on April 15, 1892.
- Co Donegal: The coldest ever temperature in May on record was detected in Glenties at -5.6C.
- Co Offaly: On June 1, 1962, Clonsast saw temperatures drop to -3.3C.
- Co Wicklow: The coldest ever day in August was in Rathdrum with temperatures dropping to -2.7C on August 30, 1964.
- Co Wexford: On November 29, 2010, Clonroche saw temperatures drop to -11.5C.
- Co Mayo: Also in 2010, temperatures in Straide dropped to -17.5C on Christmas Day.
“Elsewhere will be mostly dry with wintry showers continuing near northern coasts though some patches of fog or freezing fog may develop.
“Frost and ice will develop with lowest temperatures of -4 to +1 degrees in light to moderate easterly or variable winds, freshening at times for Munster”.
ICY ROAD CONDITIONS
Alongside the nationwide status yellow low temperatures/ice warning, Met Eireann said the public can expect “very cold” conditions with “widespread frost and icy stretches.”
As a result, motorists and pedestrians should prepare for hazardous conditions on roads and paths and some travel disruption.
And the cold weather will stick around after the current warnings expire.
Forecasters said outbreaks of “rain, sleet and snow” will clear through Thursday morning leaving scattered wintry showers.
Highest temperatures will stick between 2C and 5C before dropping to between -2C and 2C overnight as frost and ice makes a return.
7 things to do NOW before cold weather hits
WINTER is just around the corner – and with it comes colder temperatures, rain, ice and a risk of snow.
Households across the country should make sure they are prepared ahead of the temperature drop to assure the season goes by safely and stress free.
Here’s seven things you can do NOW to prepare before the cold weather hits.
1: Make sure your vehicle is winter ready. Check that your lights and indicators are working, your tyres are in good condition, your oil is topped up and your windscreen wipers are moving smoothly. It’s also worth keeping fuel in your tank to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
2: Check for leaking pipes and insulate exposed pipes that are at risk of freezing. Wrapping a towel around a pipe is a simple way of protecting it from colder temperatures. It’s also a good idea to get your boiler serviced ahead of winter.
3: Be sure to have a small supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare foods as well as medicine and fuel in case it becomes difficult to leave your home for a period of time.
4: Prepare for power cuts by having batteries for torches and some alternative light sources in your home. It’s also worth having portable chargers ready in case you need to charge your devices.
5: Check all air vents around the home to make sure they are not blocked. It’s important that your home remains well ventilated even as it becomes colder.
6: Check your chimney and make sure it is clear. Visit www.dublincity.ie for expert guidance from Dublin Fire Brigade about how to avoid chimney fires.
7: Check your gutters and carry out any maintenance needed. This is essential to prevent gutter and roof damage in freezing temperatures.
