Ireland snow latest as forecaster pinpoints counties set for coldest weather

Ireland will once again be in the grips of subzero temperatures on Monday night amid a brief cold snap that could result in snow in some parts and icy stretches on roads nationwide.

Some mountainous areas like Wicklow and Ulster awoke to a dusting of snow on Monday and Met Éireann is already predicting temperatures below freezing overnight.

There is uncertainty on weather models beyond the next few days but weather experts are monitoring what could be a more prolonged cold spell.

In its update from Monday night, Met Éireann says it will be "cold and mostly dry with mostly clear skies allowing frost and ice to develop widely. Cold with lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees in light northwesterly winds."

Meanwhile, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has pinpointed the counties set to endure the coldest of the weather overnight with parts of the midlands and south east worst affected. 

"At the moment there is snow impacting areas of Wicklow above 400 metres with a risk of some tricky driving conditions over the Wicklow and Sally Gaps," Cathal explained. Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather shared a video of snow on Monday.

Some snow on high ground above Carlow this morning with heavy rain and sleet at lower levels. pic.twitter.com/eQY4hNebzq

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 29, 2024

"Regarding the cold, all areas will see temperatures fall below freezing tonight [Monday] with the lowest temperatures likely through parts of the Midlands such as Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary, though all areas will see sub zero temperatures with a risk of icy roads where surfaces remain untreated," Cathal explained.

"Thereafter the weather becomes milder until at least the start of next week where the picture becomes much more complex with a risk of some colder outbreaks possible."

Met Éireann adds that "Tuesday will begin crisp with frost and ice clearing. Dry across most areas for the day with low winter sunshine and just light southwest breezes. A chilly day with highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.

"Dry under broken cloud [Tuesday night]. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 6 degrees, coldest and clearest across Leinster with some frost here. Light to moderate southwest winds will later begin to freshen.

"Some bright or sunny spells to begin [on Wednesday], before cloud increases and a band of rain moves down from the Northwest. Breezy with mostly fresh southwest winds, later veering westerly and moderating. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees."

"Cloudy across Atlantic counties with patchy mist and drizzle [on Thursday]. Dry elsewhere with some sunny spells. Highest temperatures will again range 10 to 12 degrees in moderate to fresh southwesterlies.

"Dull or overcast with scattered outbreaks of rain, heaviest across the West and Northwest [on Friday]. Another rather breezy day with moderate to fresh southwesterlies. Mild and humid with highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees."