Cold snap continues as further snow showers to bring some disruption

Forecasters have warned that Ireland is set for a bitterly cold week with snow, subzero temperatures, freezing fog, and widespread frost and ice leading to hazardous travelling conditions across the country.

The Met Office has today issued further weather advisory for the week ahead, with a Status Yellow snow and ice warning in place, bringing some disruption to parts of Northern Ireland until 11.00am on Tuesday, when snow will have mostly turned to rain.

Brisk northerly winds will drive snow showers well inland across Northern Ireland on Monday. Up to 5cm of snow is likely over higher routes such as the Coleraine Mountain road and Glenshane Pass.

At lower levels, a few cms can be expected, with northern counties expected to see the more frequent showers. Ice will be an additional hazard for all areas into the evening.

An area of sleet and snow will move east during Tuesday morning, giving 1-3cm of snow in places and increasing the iciness, before turning to rain as temperatures slowly rise.

Throughout Wednesday frequent snow showers will continue to push inland across much of Northern Ireland, the heaviest snowfall will likely occur in hilly areas inland from the coastlines exposed to the north to northwesterly wind.

In these areas an additional 5-10cm of snow is likely, and there is the potential for a further 15-20cm of snow in a few locations during Wednesday.

Areas further inland from these most exposed regions are likely to see lower snowfall amounts, with perhaps a 1cm or so most probable here, with a chance of an isolated spot approaching 5cm. Ice will be an additional hazard across the highlighted region.

On Thursday, further snow showers will continue with the wind subtly changing to a more westerly direction, slightly different areas are most likely to see the greatest focus of showers compared to the previous day.

Yellow warning of snow, ice affecting Northern Ireland https://t.co/kq4uUQnkNl pic.twitter.com/nhp3YUOyQE

— Met Office - Northern Ireland (@metofficeNI) January 15, 2024

In many areas, this fresh snow will be falling on top of snow already on the ground. Parts of Northern Ireland are likely to see an additional 2-5 cm fairly widely, with peaks of 10-15 cm for areas just inland from west / northwest facing coasts. Further inland towards the southeast of the area, an additional 1-2 cm, with isolated 5 cm is more probable.

Furthermore, in addition to the snowfall, ice is likely fairly widely, with thawing / re-freezing of slush and snow.