Ireland weather: 'Extremely cold' -8 conditions to hit as Met Eireann pinpoints when cold snap will end
by Michelle Townsend · RSVP LiveGet the latest RSVP Live breaking news on WhatsApp
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Met Eireann says weather will turn milder for the weekend, but not before "extremely cold" conditions hit, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -8 degrees.
Ireland is in the grip of a cold snap this week with snow, frost and ice causing havoc in certain parts of the country.
While conditions are likely to worsen and get colder over the next few nights, the national forecaster predicts the weather will turn milder once more this weekend.
Read more: Social welfare Ireland: End date for Fuel Allowance payments confirmed after new rules for 2025
Today (Tuesday January 7) will be frosty and icy, while tonight will be "extremely cold".
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "A very cold day with sunny intervals and scattered wintry showers, most frequent in the west and north. Frost and ice along with some lying snow will persist in some areas all day. Highest temperatures of just 0 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher at times near western and northern coasts.
"Extremely cold and largely dry tonight though a few wintry showers will affect parts of the north and west. Lowest temperatures of -8 to -3 degrees generally, locally lower, with a severe frost and icy stretches. Light variable breezes will allow patches of freezing fog to develop."
Tomorrow (Wednesday January 8) will be another chilly day with similar conditions overnight.
Met.ie's forecast says: "A bitterly cold morning with widespread frost and ice along with patches of freezing fog, lingering in places through the day. Otherwise, there will be sunny periods and scattered wintry showers, mainly in the north and west. However, it will be cloudier for a time near southern coasts with the chance of some patchy rain. Highest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees with mostly light northerly breezes, more moderate near southern coasts.
"Extremely cold, mostly dry and clear overnight. However, further wintry showers are expected in the northwest. Lowest temperatures of -8 to -2 degrees generally, locally lower. Freezing fog patches will develop in light northwesterly breezes."
Thursday (January 9) will be icy due to freezing overnight temperatures. Rain will also affect some counties and there will be more snowfall.
The forecast says: "Widespread frost and ice in the morning along with some freezing fog, lingering throughout the day for many despite the sunshine. Well scattered wintry showers will continue in the morning, mainly in the north and west, but becoming more isolated later. Cloud will build in the southwest in the evening. Highest temperatures of -2 to +4 degrees generally in light variable breezes.
"Dry at first [on Thursday night] with freezing fog developing. However, cloud will continue to build from the southwest overnight as a band of rain follows over the southwestern half of the country with falls of sleet and snow initially before quickly transitioning to snow. Further north and east it will stay mostly dry. Lowest temperatures of -7 to -2 degrees generally before turning milder from the southwest. Winds will become easterly and increase mostly light to moderate by morning."
In a positive weather update towards the end of the week, Met Eireann says: "Temperatures increasing through Thursday night and Friday as rain, sleet and snow moves northeastwards over the country. Milder for the weekend."