Storm twist for Ireland amid Arctic blast and Met Eireann weather u-turn

Ireland is in the grips of an Arctic cold weather blast but a similarly sinister twist is on the cards next weekend with more bad weather set to arrive.

Met Éireann has already been forced to extend weather warnings and a cold weather advisory in place for this week and now experts are monitoring a possible storm next weekend.

Met Éireann's series of Status Yellow low temperature and ice warnings cover the entire country across Monday and Tuesday with northern areas expected to see some snow.

They say it will be "very cold this evening, tonight and on Tuesday morning with severe frost and icy stretches. Coldest over southern half of the country."

In a snow-ice warning for Donegal, they say: "Scattered wintry showers will give way to more widespread sleet or snow for a time overnight with the potential for small accumulations."

Warnings are valid across the country until late on Tuesday morning with a cold weather advisory remaining in place across the whole country until noon on Friday.

That advisory says: "Arctic air will bring winter hazards this coming week. Sharp to severe frosts expected with icy stretches on roads and pavements. Some sleet or snow will occur at times too, mostly for northern areas, and especially for hills."

Night-time temperatures are set to dip as low as -5 degree but Carlow Weather man Alan O'Reilly has said the windchill this week will bring -8 degree cold blasts to parts of the north Midlands. 

Alan is also already looking ahead to the end of the cold spell and possibly stormy conditions to follow.

"Weather models have us back to wind and rain next Saturday," he said as he posted an image of wind maps showing strong gusts for Ireland. The stormy conditions could follow our coldest spell for a number of years and bring further hazards.

The windchill forecast for next four mornings in images, you’ll want the big coat. Many areas will be mainly dry but wintry showers are likely in North and Northwest with some snow there. pic.twitter.com/tG0VpDir3D

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 14, 2024

Alan added: "The Atlantic conveyor belt of storms will come roaring back after this cold spell. Firstly for the weekend and then risk of some nasty systems coming our way next week. Sunday and Tuesday likely to see first two systems with Tuesday’s looking potentially nasty."

Met Éireann is also making a similar forecast for next weekend. They said it will be "an unsettled weekend but milder, as wet and breezy, possibly windy, weather moves over the country."

Between now and then, their forecast is packed with icy weather, with a risk of icy stretches on roads and a danger to livestock and other animals.

"Tuesday will continue very cold. Frost and ice in many areas, clearing slowly and lingering on places. Some further out breaks of rain, sleet or snow in Ulster, north Connacht and north Leinster, turning mostly to rain. Brighter further south with some sunshine. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees with moderate southwest to west winds," their forecast said.

"Patchy cloud along with some light rain and drizzle will affect the southern half of the country overnight. Long clear spells developing further north with isolated showers of rain, with sleet and snow possible near northern and northwestern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -4 to -1 degrees with a sharp to severe frost and icy stretches forming. A light northerly or variable breeze will also allow patches of fog or freezing fog to develop.

"A bitterly cold day [Wednesday] with frost, ice, fog and freezing fog at first leading to hazardous travelling conditions, slow to clear through the morning. Otherwise, a largely dry day with good spells of winter sunshine though scattered showers of sleet and snow will affect the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 4 degrees generally, not rising above freezing in some areas, in light northwest breezes.

"Another very cold night [Wednesday night] with widespread frost and icy stretches forming. Dry and clear for most but scattered showers of sleet and snow will mainly affect the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of -5 to -2 degrees in mostly light northwest breezes."

Looking to Thursday, they predict "a frosty or icy start, followed by another very cold day with scattered wintry showers in the north and northwest. Generally dry and sunny elsewhere with just the odd stray shower possible. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwest to west breezes. Overnight temperatures generally falling between -5 and -2 degrees.

"Another very cold and bright start to the day [on Friday] with widespread frost and some icy stretches. Scattered showers will mainly affect Atlantic counties. Cloud will thicken from the west later in the day. Highest afternoon temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees. Light westerly breezes will back southerly, strengthening through the afternoon and evening."