LAST UPDATE | 5 Feb 2021

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued an advisory this afternoon warning of showers of sleet and snow in eastern counties from Sunday evening as the weather turns very cold heading into next week. 

In its advisory, the forecaster said that Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday “will be very cold with temperatures in low single figures by day”. 

At night, there’ll be sharp or severe frost with icy patches. 

Along with the snowfall, there will also be hazardous conditions on roads and paths.

This Met Éireann advisory is valid from 6am Sunday morning until 6pm on Wednesday evening. There are currently no weather warnings in place for this weekend. 

In commentary posted yesterday, meteorologist Liz Walsh said that the cold spell was now “looking likely to last well into next week”. 

“The origin of the cold air over Scandinavia will bring a northeasterly or easterly component to the wind-flow over Ireland,” she said. “That wind will be especially noticeable on Sunday and Monday with gusty east to northeast winds likely to produce a significant wind-chill factor.”

Met Éireann will be closely monitoring the later part of next week as there will be a transition back to milder air coming up from the south, which could bring further snow. 

“The milder air could just come in and there might just be some snow for a few hours and then it’ll melt. Or the cold air could hang on longer and we could get quite a good bit of snow happening somewhere over the country – where the cold air is meeting the warm air,” Walsh said yesterday. 

Whatever the case snow-ice and/or low temperature warnings are likely in the coming days for conditions from Sunday through Tuesday, and forecasts for the latter part of next week will be updated and fine-tuned as we move closer to the time.

Before the arrival of this cold snap, temperatures will already be low enough this evening, ranging between -1 and 4 degrees with frost under clear skies. 

Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy, with just a few bright or sunny intervals. There’ll be further scattered showers in Leinster and east Ulster. Maximum temperatures will be just 4 to 7 degrees. 

With weather expected to turn progressively colder from early on Sunday 7th February, ensure you are best prepared for severe conditions using the #BeWinterReady advice below or visit https://t.co/BDmj1ZG2Nf

For up to date information, see https://t.co/CW07Rwsvdb https://t.co/JGBLg9ZTWP pic.twitter.com/yqwQaisFAA

— Office of Emergency Planning (@emergencyIE) February 5, 2021

In a statement this evening, the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management said: “From Sunday night, showers will start to turn wintry in nature, but will primarily affect north Leinster and north Ulster. There is potential for yellow snow/ice warnings for these areas. Some showers will penetrate further inland, but are likely to be more isolated in nature.

“Midweek next week brings a more significant threat of a widespread snow event as low pressure in the mid-Atlantic (and its associated precipitation) moves up and clashes with the colder air underneath.”

“There is potential for countrywide yellow/orange warnings for this. Met Éireann says there are indications of a milder airflow next Friday that will move in across the country bringing more wet and windy conditions.”

The Road Safety Authority said today that road users are being advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on any essential journeys.