Wintry Conditions for the Weekend (4th- 5th January 2025)
Updated on Saturday 4th January 2025, valid until further notice
OVERVIEW
Warnings have been updated this morning (Saturday 04th of January) to reflect the current situation; check met.ie for details in your area. These may be updated as the situation evolves.
Orange Snow/Ice warnings: Significant snowfall accumulations expected across parts of Munster and south Leinster as heavy rain transitions to sleet and snow on Saturday evening, continuing right through to Sunday. Accumulations of 5cm or more are likely in 24 hours. A status orange snow/ice warning has been issued for multiple counties. Very difficult travelling conditions are expected with poor visibility in any sleet or snow. This will also cause significant travel disruptions and difficult ground conditions.
Orange Rain and Snow warnings: Heavy rain forecastfor counties Kerry, Cork and Waterford. It looks like it will remain as rain for southern parts of the counties with some localised flooding possible. Yellow rain warnings have been issued for these counties for Saturday afternoon upgrading to an orange rain and snow warning on Saturday evening and continuing into Sunday. In Kerry, Cork and Waterford, falls of sleet and snow are most likely away from the coast and particularly at higher elevations in the north of the three counties.
Generally lower snow accumulations, but still impactful in many places, are expected in other counties under a status yellow snow/ice warning through Saturday and Sunday, with accumulations of 1-5cm in 24 hours likely in some areas. Travel disruptions can also be expected in these areas.
The rain, sleet and snow will be accompanied by fresh easterly winds on Saturday night, backing northerly and remaining fresh through Sunday, so there could be some drifting snow at times.
The cause of snow: An area of low-pressure bringing precipitation will track north-eastwards across the country Saturday afternoon, through Saturday night, clearing into the Irish sea during Sunday afternoon. As the mild moist air meets the cold Arctic air, the rain will turn to sleet and snow in many areas.
Why Rain and Snow warning instead of a Snow/Ice? : For the southern counties of Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Wexford, rain and snow warnings have been issued instead of snow/ice warnings. The southern half of these counties will feel greater effect of the milder air keeping the precipitation in liquid form (rain), whereas to the north of these counties and at higher elevations, the rain will transition to sleet and snow.
The cold weather will continuewell into next week as a cold Arctic northerly airflow become established from Sunday night. Lying snow will persist in some areas with frosty and icy conditions countrywide. An Advisory has been issued countrywide for Monday (6th of January) through to Thursday (9th of January).
Figure 1 – Low pressure system approaching Ireland from the southwest on Saturday (4th January). The interaction of this rain moving in from the Atlantic with the cold air already over Ireland will result in falls of rain, sleet and snow (green colours).
Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman says: “a lot of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.
This rain sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds which could lead to some drifting snow for as time as well.”
Stay up to date with the forecast and also with your travel provider as there are likely to be travel disruptions too.
Liz continues: the cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people pay attention to the weather forecasts and be prepared. “
Figure 2 – Airmass Temperatures showing that the cold temperatures will stay with us into next week.
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING WINTRY WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
Stay up-to date with the forecast and the warnings on met.ie, the Met Éireann app or Met Éireann socials (@meteireann).
Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.
Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone
People travelling long journeys check weather/ road conditions not just where they are starting from, but at their destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly.
NOTE THAT:
Warnings can be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels,www.met.ieand the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
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Issued on Friday 3rd January 2025, valid until further notice
OVERVIEW
A band of rain moving up over Ireland from the southwest during Saturday will turn increasingly to sleet and snow through Saturday evening and Saturday night with some impactful snow accumulations expected in places before the system clears away to the east during Sunday.
Significant snowfall accumulations expected across parts of Munster and south Leinster as heavy rain transitions to sleet and snow on Saturday evening, continuing right through to Sunday. Accumulations of 5cm or more are likely in 24 hours. A status orange snow/ice warning has been issued for multiple counties. Very difficult travelling conditions are expected with poor visibility in any sleet or snow. This will also cause significant travel disruptions and difficult ground conditions.
Generally lower snow accumulations, but still impactful in many places, are expected in other counties under a status yellow snow/ice warning through Saturday and Sunday, with accumulations of 1-5cm in 24 hours likely in some areas. Travel disruptions can also be expected in these areas.
Heavy rain forecastfor counties Kerry and Cork on Saturday evening and night looks like it will remain as rain for southern parts of the counties with some localised flooding possible. Yellow rain/snow warnings have been issued for these counties. In Kerry and Cork falls of sleet and snow are most likely away from the coast and particularly at higher elevations in the north of the two counties.
The cause of snow: An area of low-pressure bringing precipitation will track north-eastwards across the country Saturday afternoon, through Saturday night, clearing into the Irish sea during Sunday afternoon. As the mild moist air meets the cold Arctic air, the rain will turn to sleet and snow in many areas.
Warnings have been issued to reflect the situation; these may be updated as the situation evolves.
The cold weather will continuewell into next week as a cold Arctic northerly airflow become established from Sunday night. Lying snow will persist in some areas with frosty and icy conditions countrywide.
Figure 1 – Low pressure system approaching Ireland from the southwest on Saturday (4th January). The interaction of this rain moving in from the Atlantic with the cold air already over Ireland will result in falls of rain, sleet and snow (green colours).
Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman says: “a lots of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.
This rain, sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds at times which could lead to some drifting snow for as time as well.
Stay up to date with the forecast and also with your travel provider as there are likely to be travel disruptions too.”
Liz continues: the cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people to stay in contact with the weather forecasts and be prepared. “
Figure 2 – Airmass Temperatures showing that the cold temperatures will stay with us into next week.
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING WINTRY WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
Stay up-to date with the forecast and the warnings on met.ie, the Met Éireann app or Met Éireann socials (@meteireann).
Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.
Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone
People travelling long journeys check weather/ road conditions not just where they are starting from, but at their destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly.
NOTE THAT:
Warnings can be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels,www.met.ieand the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
Wintry Conditions for the Weekend (4th- 5th January 2025)
Updated on Saturday 4th January 2025, valid until further notice
OVERVIEW
Figure 1 – Low pressure system approaching Ireland from the southwest on Saturday (4th January). The interaction of this rain moving in from the Atlantic with the cold air already over Ireland will result in falls of rain, sleet and snow (green colours).
Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman says: “a lot of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.
This rain sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds which could lead to some drifting snow for as time as well.”
Stay up to date with the forecast and also with your travel provider as there are likely to be travel disruptions too.
Liz continues: the cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people pay attention to the weather forecasts and be prepared. “
Figure 2 – Airmass Temperatures showing that the cold temperatures will stay with us into next week.
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING WINTRY WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
NOTE THAT:
Warnings can be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ie and the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
———————————————————————————–
Issued on Friday 3rd January 2025, valid until further notice
OVERVIEW
A band of rain moving up over Ireland from the southwest during Saturday will turn increasingly to sleet and snow through Saturday evening and Saturday night with some impactful snow accumulations expected in places before the system clears away to the east during Sunday.
Figure 1 – Low pressure system approaching Ireland from the southwest on Saturday (4th January). The interaction of this rain moving in from the Atlantic with the cold air already over Ireland will result in falls of rain, sleet and snow (green colours).
Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman says: “a lots of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.
This rain, sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds at times which could lead to some drifting snow for as time as well.
Stay up to date with the forecast and also with your travel provider as there are likely to be travel disruptions too.”
Liz continues: the cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people to stay in contact with the weather forecasts and be prepared. “
Figure 2 – Airmass Temperatures showing that the cold temperatures will stay with us into next week.
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING WINTRY WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
NOTE THAT:
Warnings can be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ie and the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
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