How long is the cold snap going to last? Met Éireann has the latest weather forecast #sneachta
It's going to stay 'chilly' says Met Éireann but the forecaster isn't expecting the cold snap to last as long as the frigid weather that hit before Christmas.
An national Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning for Ireland expired at midday on Tuesday, December 17 but it is not going to get warmer than 4c through Tuesday.
A new Status Yellow warning for snow ice for some midlands counties is valid from 5.30pm on Tuesday to 9am Friday.
Met Éireann charts show that temperatures plunged to -7c in Roscommon on Monday night.
The Winter Weather Advisory for Ireland continues to apply through to Friday, January 20. Laois Weather in Durrow captured some of the snow the snap brought to Laois during the spell. MORE BELOW TWEET.
Met Éireann expects the weather to stay cold until later Thursday with an Arctic airflow in across the country, bringing sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads and footpaths. It says some showers of hail, sleet and snow are expected with the potential for freezing fog. Further updates to the advisory and warnings are expected in the coming days. MORE BELOW TWEET.
The Met Éireann national outlook forecasts the weather to remain "chilly" with occasional wintry showers, although temperatures are expected to increase by the weekend. MORE BELOW TWEET.
Met Éireann National Forecast issued at 8.53 am on Tuesday, January 17.
Tuesday: Very cold today with a mix of sunny spells and wintry showers, falling as snow in places, especially across the northwest and later today across other areas. Isolated thunderstorms with hail will occur too. Driest and brightest across the south and east. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 4 degrees, in mostly moderate northwest breezes.
Very cold tonight with frost and icy stretches developing in many areas. Scattered sleet and snow showers will continue, most frequent in the north and west. Isolated thunderstorms may occur too with the chance of hail. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees in mainly moderate westerly winds, breezier all the while along Atlantic coasts.
Wednesday: Some lying snow in parts early on Wednesday, which will be another cold day with mix of sunny spells and scattered wintry showers, most frequent across the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in moderate to fresh northwesterly winds.
Another cold night with scattered wintry showers, mainly affecting Atlantic coastal counties, and becoming persistent in parts of the southwest. Lowest temperatures of -3 to 0 degrees with frost and icy conditions developing. Winds easing light, westerly or variable.
THURSDAY: Largely dry and bright, though there will be some cloud towards the west of the country with outbreaks of rain persisting in Munster. Maximum temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees, highest in the southwest. Winds very light and variable.
Outbreaks of rain will gradually spread eastwards across the country on Thursday night, becoming widespread by morning. Temperatures will once again fall below freezing in Connacht, Ulster and Leinster with lows of -2 to 0 degrees. Milder in Munster with lows of 1 to 4 degrees. Southeasterly winds, remaining light.
FRIDAY: Turning slightly warmer on Friday with generally dull and wet conditions expected. The morning will see widespread outbreaks of rain, clearing eastwards later in the day. Highest temperatures will generally range from 5 to 9 degrees in mainly light southeasterly breezes.
SATURDAY: Remaining dull with occasional outbreaks of showery rain, mainly affecting the western half of the country. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in mainly light southerly breezes.
FURTHER OUTLOOK: Considerable uncertainty remains for the further outlook, although our weather is likely to remain unsettled into the beginning of next week.