A “steady thaw” is anticipated to set in over the weekend, bringing relief from the ongoing cold snap, according to Met Éireann. This follows frigid overnight temperatures, with lows of -7.5°C recorded in parts of the country.
Met Éireann forecaster Matthew Martin explained that the cold conditions will persist through today and tomorrow before “much milder weather arrives on Sunday and continues into early next week.”
Temperatures will hover near freezing nationwide, with frost and ice expected to linger. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr. Martin warned of freezing fog and hazardous road conditions, particularly where snow remains on the ground in the south midlands and southwest.
“Conditions will remain hazardous until tomorrow morning, especially in areas with lying snow,” he noted. “Another spell of sleet and snow is expected over hills in the southwest and south tomorrow morning, but less cold air will start to filter in after that.”
Despite the thaw, Mr. Martin emphasized that “rather hazardous conditions” could persist in some areas until tomorrow afternoon.
Overnight, Met Éireann reported the coldest temperature of -7.5°C in Mullingar, County Westmeath. Other low temperatures included -7°C in Athenry, County Galway, and -6.7°C in Oak Park, County Carlow, marking the coldest nights since the weekend.
Currently, a Status Orange low-temperature and ice warning is in effect for Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Counties Cavan and Monaghan until 11 a.m. A Status Yellow low-temperature and ice warning applies nationwide until midday tomorrow.
Met Éireann predicts widespread frost, ice, and lying snow, along with patches of freezing fog.
In Northern Ireland, a Yellow snow and ice warning for Counties Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry remains in place until 11 a.m., while a Yellow fog alert covering Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry is in effect until 9 a.m. The UK Met Office also cautioned that freezing fog may cause travel disruptions.
Power and water services continue to face disruptions due to the freezing conditions. ESB Networks reported that approximately 500 homes, farms, and businesses are still without electricity, with crews working to restore power.
Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann stated that around 4,500 customers in Tipperary, Limerick, and Kerry remain without water. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with most supplies expected to return by this morning. However, the utility warned of potential increases in weather-related outages if the cold snap persists.
