Frost, ice and possibly snow forecast as temperatures plummet: Met Éireann

FROST, ice and maybe snow in some parts – get your woolly scarves and hats out as Met Éireann has warned temperatures are set to plummet this week.

Rain storms aside, Kilkenny, the South East and the country at large have experienced a comparatively mild winter thus far.

But this is likely to change this week as the national forecaster has warned people to prepare for an unsettled and cold week ahead, with temperatures tumbling below zero by night leading to frost and icy patches on our roads.

Today will begin dry in northern and western areas with any rain in the south and east clearing quickly. It will be a cool, bright day with good sunny spells and top temperatures of between 7C and 11C.

However, temperatures will drop back tonight to as low as -2C and it will be frosty with a risk of icy stretches on roads.

Tomorrow will start off dry, but Met Éireann has warned a “persistent spell of heavy rain will gradually move up from the south west through the day, reaching all but northern areas by evening”. Spot flooding is also likely. Forecasters said there is a “slight risk” of sleet or wet snow for a time in the midlands and west of the country.

It will also become breezy, especially along southern and eastern coasts, and temperatures will peak at just 4C to 9C.

Rain will continue after dark and will clear eastwards later.

Any lingering rain across Kilkenny and the rest of Leinster will clear on Wednesday morning and the rest of the country will be mostly dry, although with some frost and ice.

The afternoon will be dry with good sunny spells, but it will feel cold, with highest temperatures of 4C to 7C.

Wet and breezy weather will move in from the west later on Wednesday night and will continue into Thursday.

However, temperatures will recover somewhat into double figures, before turning cold again on Friday when it will be very windy with showers and longer spells of rain.