Ireland is set for a frosty blast on New Year’s Day, with snowfall ushering 2023 on a wintry note.
Met Eireann has forecast heavy rain, hail, thunder and sleet for today, with freezing temperatures and wintry showers overnight.
The National Meteorologist also warns of freezing fog, saying patches will develop after dark.
In its forecast for today, it said: “Mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain in Munster and Leinster this morning, heavy at times, with isolated hail and thunder possible. Drier with clear spells and patches of mist and fog elsewhere. Scattered showers will move into Connacht and Ulster this afternoon and evening, with sleet possible on high ground, and it will become drier and brighter in the south and east. Highest temperatures of 3C to 9C, coldest in the north, with a light to moderate southwest to west or variable wind. Tonight will be very cold and frosty with icy surfaces possible. It will be largely dry with long clear spells, however there will be isolated showers and some of these may be wintry. Patches of freezing fog will develop too. Lowest temperatures of -3C to 1C in a light and variable wind,” reports The Mirror.
The cold should last until tomorrow. Daytime temperatures between 1°C and 5°C are expected, with the possibility of further sleet during the night.
Met Eireann said: “Monday morning will be very cold and frosty with icy stretches and patches of freezing fog. It will stay cold in most areas for the day, with highest temperatures of 1C to 5C, but will be less cold in the southwest. It will be mostly dry with low winter sunshine and just isolated showers in the west and northwest. Winds will be light and variable at first but will become southerly later, freshening in the west,” reports The Mirror.
It should be milder from Tuesday, wet and windy weather is also expected.
Looking ahead to the rest of next week, Met Eireann said: “Over the northern half of the country on Wednesday it will be mostly dry and bright but it will be cloudier further south with patchy light rain or drizzle. Highest temperatures of 7C to 11C north to south, in a light to moderate westerly or variable wind. More persistent rain is expected to move in over the southern half of the country on Wednesday night, while showers develop in northern areas. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 8C, coldest in the north, in a light southerly or variable wind,” reports The Mirror.
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