TEMPERATURES hit a freezing point of -4C overnight, with “hard frost and plenty of ice” to continue into today.
Extremely low temperatures and dangerous icy conditions are set to grip Ireland for the rest of this week, with a warning of another cold day ahead.
There is also set to be a “significant risk of rain and sleet turning to snow” later today.
Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly shared the latest snippet of this week’s outcome on X.
Alan said: “Down to -4c this morning with a hard frost and plenty of ice. Some showers continue in Northern areas. A cold day ahead with a significant risk of rain and sleet turning to snow in Southern areas later.”
A status yellow low temperature and ice warning remains in place for Ireland until 10am, with it returning at 8pm until 10am tomorrow.
Tomorrow will also see a snow and ice warning for Munster in place from 4am until 12pm.
A cold day is on the horizon today with “frost and icy stretches on untreated surfaces this morning.”
Met Eireann said this ice, including black ice, will linger in some areas throughout the day with sunshine peaking through.
Scattered showers of sleet and snow will continue in the north and northwest.
Clouds will appear in the afternoon, bringing heavy rain for the west and southwest as many are being warned of this turning to to hail, sleet and snow at times as it moves inland.
Temperatures low again today with highs of just 3C to 6C.
Tonight is looking to see snow and sleet remain inland, but possibly hit coastal areas alongside widespread rain in the south.
The forecaster said: “Further north it will be mostly dry with scattered wintry showers continuing in Ulster and north Connacht.
“Very cold with lowest temperatures of -4C to 0C.”
TOMORROW
Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will begin to clear in the morning making way for a colder day to hit.
Showers of rain, sleet and snow will be most frequent across Connacht, Ulster and west Munster.
Met Eireann said: “Some icy stretches will linger through the day with temperatures reaching just 1C to 4C.
“A cold night with widespread frost and icy stretches developing.
“Mostly dry with clear spells, though scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow will feed into Ulster, Connacht and Munster.
“Lowest temperatures of -4C to +1C.”
THIS WEEKEND
Dry and sunny spells will begin to emerge on Friday as temperatures start getting slightly warmer.
A few wintry showers will it the northern and Atlantic coasts with temperatures of 3C to 7C.
Overnight it will become wet and windy with heavy rain spreading across the country.
This will be accompanied by strong to near gale force and gusty southeasterly winds with possible falls of sleet.
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.
Weather chiefs are warning of possible localised flooding as temperatures drop between 0C to 5C.
As of Saturday, bosses said: “A wet and windy day with widespread and heavy rain, leading to localised flooding.
“Strong and gusty southerly winds.
“Milder with highest temperatures of 12C to 15C.”
Sunday will be another milder day in terms of temperature with highs of 9C to 12C, but strong winds and heavy showers are to dominate.
Wind and rain will begin to ease off in the early days of next week with drier conditions settling in.
