Met Éireann pinpoint when temps will dip to -10 degrees amid weather 'complications'

Met Éireann has predicted temperatures dipping as low as -10 degrees next week amid a prolonged Arctic cold snap. The coldest temperatures will follow snow this weekend which could sit along with frost and freezing fog over many areas.

Met Éireann has delivered its final verdict on a snow bomb hitting Ireland this weekend amid a raft of Status Orange and Yellow warnings and predictions of 15cm of snow in some places.

Their first weather warning is a Status Orange rain and snow warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. It says: "Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow with significant accumulations expected."

READ NEXT: Track the snow as it heads towards Ireland amid severe weather warnings

The warning is valid from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

A similar Status Orange snow-ice warning has been issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary with Met Éireann warning of "significant snowfall accumulations expected." This warning too is valid from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

Met Éireann has also issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. It warns of "heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow" and it's valid from 1pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

There is also a Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and all of Connacht.

READ NEXT: Track the snow as it heads towards Ireland amid severe weather warnings

"Falls of sleet and snow with snowfall accumulations" are expected in these counties. This 24-hour warning also runs from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

The final warning from Met Éireann is a Status Yellow rain and snow warning for Wexford. Heavy rain there will transition to sleet and snow. It too is valid from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

Impacts for all warning include as "very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus), difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues."

A weather map on the Met Éireann website pinpoints next Wednesday morning as possibly the coldest day of the week with temperatures dipping to -9 or even -10 in parts of the south midlands.

Their commentary on the cold spell says: "An area of low-pressure bringing precipitation will track north-eastwards across the country Saturday afternoon, through Saturday night, clearing into the Irish sea during Sunday afternoon. As the mild moist air meets the cold Arctic air, the rain will turn to sleet and snow in many areas.  

"The cold weather will continue well into next week as a cold Arctic northerly airflow become established from Sunday night. Lying snow will persist in some areas with frosty and icy conditions countrywide. An Advisory has been issued countrywide for Monday (6th of January) through to Thursday (9th of January)."

Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman says: “A lot of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.

"This rain sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds which could lead to some drifting snow for as time as well.”

"Stay up to date with the forecast and also with your travel provider as there are likely to be travel disruptions too."

Liz continues: "The cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people pay attention to the weather forecasts and be prepared."