Met Eireann issues nationwide 16-hour warning as freezing weather engulfs Ireland

Met Eireann has issued a 16-hour low temperature weather warning for the entire country this afternoon.

Temperatures are projected to plummet as low as -4 ° C in parts of Ireland with the yellow low-temperature / ice warning status going into effect at 6pm on Saturday until 10am on Sunday.

The warning, for the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland, reads: “Temperatures will drop to minus 3 or 4 degrees tonight, colder in the area away from the coasts. This will cause a widespread frost on hard soil and frozen surfaces , with potentially dangerous conditions. “

Some parts of the country will experience winter rains for the next 48 hours, but no major snowfall is expected.

A forecaster from Met Eireann said: “Ice patches may persist today as temperatures rise slowly. Scattered showers, some possibly with sleet to the north, will slowly disappear as periods of sunshine develop this afternoon. Temperatures warmer. Highs reach between 3 and 5 degrees in general, a degree or two softer near the coast.

“It’s very cold tonight with heavy frost and icy conditions forming early in the evening as temperatures drop to minus 4 degrees inland, staying around freezing on the shores. However, largely dry and cleared with fog and fog foci in some places light north winds will bring isolated rains on the north coasts.

Frost and ice on untreated surfaces will take time to clear tomorrow Sunday. It will be dry in many areas with good sun, with scattered showers near the coasts.

“Some showers will move inland in Leinster overnight, and it can be wintry. Bitter cold throughout the day with higher temperatures of just 2-4 degrees overall, with a mild to moderate northeast breeze.”