Met Eireann: Arctic weather to continue into weekend

Temperatures in Ireland will continue to be ‘exceptionally low’ this weekend, according to Met Eireann.

There will be snow storms on Friday, with Connacht, Ulster and West Munster the worst affected. Temperatures in Ireland are expected to be no higher than 3 degrees celcius – something which won’t improve over the weekend.

A Met Eireann forcast reads, “The bitterly cold conditions will persist over the weekend and well into next week too. Temperatures will be exceptionally low for December, with day time values close to freezing over a wide area, night time values as low as -8 C., lower over snow fields and overnight frost and ice will persist by day in most places. Widespread heavy snow on Friday night and at first Saturday, prolonged at times, with further significant accumulations in places.

“Turning drier in more northern and western areas in the afternoon with just a few flurries. Very cold overnight with widespread ice, compacted snow and pockets of freezing fog. Some fresh snow showers, but present data indicates that these should be well scattered and mostly light, with a good deal of dry weather.

“Very cold and icy on Sunday with just well scattered snow showers and many places having some good dry periods. Very icy overnight with some freezing fog. Staying very cold and icy up to midweek at least, both by day and by night. Some snow showers at times, but at this stage, these look to be well scattered, with a good deal of dry weather.

“But the problems of ice and lying snow, compacted in places, will persist. The trend for later in the week is for the cold weather to largely persist, maybe not as cold as this weekend, but frost and ice will continue, and further snow events are possible. New warnings and forecasts will issue as new data becomes available.”

People have been urged to be careful on the roads. Experts believe the cold weather to continue for the rest of December, bookmakers Boylesports have even paid out on a white Christmas.