Ice warning issued amid -10C temperature plunge and 'hazardous' conditions
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the whole of Ireland. The warning kicks in at 6pm this evening - and will last until 11am tomorrow. Forecasters are predicting widespread frost and ice with temperatures plummeting to -3C or even lower in many areas nationwide. Met Eireann have also warned of "hazardous travel conditions" and "animal welfare concerns" due to the cold. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is already under a status yellow ice warning. The UK Met Office has warned of icy patches on untreated roads, footpaths and cycle paths, with injuries from slips and falls possible. This warning applies to counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone and remains in effect until 10am. Met Eireann also issued a stark warning of bitterly cold conditions swooping in - complete with "disruptive amounts of snow" - as the country braces for temperatures to possibly dip as low as -10C over the next few days. An arctic air mass, punctuated by heavy rain and gusting winds, is set to sweep across the country. A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Very cold with some very disruptive and impactful weather likely this weekend, with an area of low pressure dominating and bringing heavy rain, sleet and some disruptive amounts of snow. Becoming blustery too. "Becoming drier for the early days of next week with the winds moderating, but bitterly cold with an arctic air mass across the country and with very hazardous conditions from a combination of lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers." The chilly period is slated to commence this weekend as a significant low-pressure system approaches the south of Ireland on Saturday. The January cold firmly and immediately arrived in Dublin this morning, with early risers in the capital having a chilly start after temperatures dropped down to just -3C overnight. And while it will be a clear day in Dublin, it's not set to get much warmer, with temperatures of just 3-5C expected. It will remain mostly dry and cold as afternoon turns to evening, with temperatures expected to fall to as low as -3C tonight again, with the possibility of fog and freezing fog developing. Friday will also remain clear and dry, but Saturday and Sunday could see rain, sleet, and snow hit the country, according to Met Eireann. Here is what their forecast is saying for the next few days: Overview: Remaining cold with generally dry and bright conditions at first. Possibly turning more unsettled at the weekend with the chance of rain, sleet and snow. Friday: It'll be frosty to begin tomorrow morning with a few isolated fog patches possible. The frost and any fog will clear to leave another cold day, but it'll be dry and sunny again. Highest temperatures of just 3 to 5 degrees in mostly light to moderate westerly or variable breezes. Friday night: Staying cold and mainly dry with clear spells. Scattered showers will continue near west and north coasts. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees, with widespread frost and some ice forming once again. Mist and fog patches will develop also in a light southwesterly breeze. The weekend: There is a good deal of uncertainty in the forecast for the weekend. Current indications suggest that it will stay cold with an area of low pressure steering rain across the country later Saturday. This rain may turn to sleet or snow in places, with further outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow possible through Saturday night and Sunday, alongside strong winds. However, it is possible that this system will remain to the south of us, allowing a continuation of the drier, clearer conditions. Early next week: Cold conditions are likely to continue into next week with further wintry showers possible. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
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