'Wrap up!' - Temperatures set to plunge as experts give verdict on New Year's snow

Temperatures are set to plummet across Ireland over the next week and experts have given their verdict on the likelihood of a snowy New Year's.

While temperatures will drop to as low as -3 in places, Met Éireann has said wintry showers and sharp frost and ice is to be expected. High pressure is continuing to dominate bringing plenty of dry weather overall, though there will be some light rain or showers at times. Turning colder for the weekend with sharp to severe frosts developing and some wintry showers mainly affecting the north and northwest.

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Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said those planning to ring in the New Year this evening should "wrap up" but said the, "Latest weather model updates show less cold air around Tuesday/Wednesday but it may be brief before cooler air returns again. Could bring cold rain though rather than the white stuff."

Latest weather model updates show less cold air around Tuesday/Wednesday but it may be brief before cooler air returns again. Could bring cold rain though rather than the white stuff. pic.twitter.com/LdlLsZ1mu0

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 31, 2025

New Year's Eve

Quite cloudy at first tonight with limited clear spells. Outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the north will gradually sink southwards through the night and become patchier by morning, with some showers and more in the way of clear spells following from the north.

Cold with lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees with frost and icy stretches developing. Light to moderate westerly winds will increase fresh at times along northern and northwestern coasts.

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New Year's Day

Cloud and any patchy light rain in Munster and south Leinster will clear southwards early on tomorrow morning, leaving a largely dry New Year's Day with good sunny spells and just well scattered showers, mainly affecting northern coastal areas. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher near northern and northwestern coasts.

Initially dry with clear spells at first on Thursday night. Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will move into the north early on and gradually sink southwards becoming patchier and easing towards morning. Further clear spells and scattered wintry showers will follow from the north. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

Friday

A day of good sunny spells, with some showers of sleet and snow possible, mainly in the north. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher near coasts.

Continuing mostly dry and clear with some wintry showers on Friday night, mainly affecting the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

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Saturday and Sunday

Very cold and mostly dry with wintry showers, mainly in parts of the north and northwest. Highest daytime temperatures of just 2 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds. Lowest night-time temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with sharp frosts and ice developing.

Further outlook

Continuing cold into early next week, with plenty of dry weather, though there will be wintry showers or outbreaks of rain at times.