Met Éireann weather man warns of 'very cold and frosty nights, some wintry showers' from Arctic

Snow on the Dublin Road near Kilminchy roundabout in Portlaoise.

placeholder image — Snow on the Dublin Road near Kilminchy roundabout in Portlaoise.

Met Éireann forecaster warns 2026 gets underway with cold and wintry conditions

Met Éireann is issuing a special weather commentary for the cold snap that could bring snow to parts of Ireland and is forecast to bring freezing conditions to all counties.

The commentary says Met Éireann is forecasting a cold and wintry start to the new year as a northerly air-flow becomes established over Ireland, drawing down polar air across the country.

It says temperatures are expected to fall below average, with the main impacts being frosty and icy nights. Ireland's official weather forecaster also warns of sleet and snow showers at times, mainly affecting Ulster and north Connacht, while many other areas will experience crisp, bright conditions with plenty of winter sunshine.

Matthew Martin is a Met Éireann meteorologist.

“It is now increasingly likely that a very cold, Arctic air mass will move across Ireland over the coming days. This is being driven by a blocking high-pressure system building in the Atlantic, which will allow the air-flow to turn northerly and draw very cold air southwards from the Arctic. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Pictured: Laois County Council snow clearing in Portlaoise.

“We are expecting very cold and frosty nights, particularly over the weekend, with a chance of some wintry showers. At present, these showers are most likely to affect northern counties, while many southern areas can expect plenty of crisp winter sunshine. We will continue to assess the situation closely in the coming days and will issue any warnings as required, so people are advised to keep a close eye on the forecast," he said.

The commentary urges people to be prepared for the colder weather and potential hazards, particularly overnight and during the early mornings. Met Éireann encourages the public to plan, allow extra time for journeys and take care on icy roads. Met Éireann says it will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as the cold spell develops.