FROSTY WELCOME

New Year starts off with cold spell

FREEZING temperatures are set to take hold later this week, Met Eireann has said.

Forecasters warned a high pressure system will bring a period of settled and dry weather in the south and west.

The frosty start to 2019 began last night with the north and east expected to see the worst of the cold weather in the days ahead.

Temperatures will dip below freezing towards the end of the week as experts have predicted some frosty spells today and tomorrow.

A forecaster said: “Lowest temperatures tonight will range from -1C to 4C with a risk of a ground frost under longer clearer periods in eastern and northern counties.

“It will be chilly again on Friday night, especially in parts of the north and east with temperatures falling to between -1C and 3C under clear spells with frosts forming.

“Less cold under thicker cloud in the south and south-west with lows of 4C to 7C.”

Met Eireann’s Aoife Murray added: “We will be getting a few frosty nights but it will be mostly benign weather and cloud as the high pressure persists. The next few nights there is a risk of frost in the north and east but it will be milder in the south and we expect similar for Thursday and Friday night.

“We have a southerly flow coming up at the moment and it will actually be quite mild on the south coast.

“The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is quite uncertain at the moment but there is a risk of rain and drizzle in the west and north-west.” It comes as UK weather experts warn Icelandic winds are forecast there throughout this month, sparking weather warnings to wrap up to combat a “dangerous” cold snap.

Temperatures are set to drop over the coming days bringing harsh frosts – with temperatures dipping below -10 in some parts.

The Met Office with Public Health England has issued a level two “alert and readiness” cold weather warning across northern and central parts of England into the weekend.

What the mercury could drop to over the coming days in some parts