Freezing Febrrruary

Snow on way as temperatures fall

COLD weather is forecast to make a bitter comeback as Ireland’s recent mild temperatures plummet — and snow is coming.

Met Eireann says thermometers will drop as low as -3C, with wintry flurries affecting many areas.

Three separate Status Yellow snow and ice warnings were issued yesterday.

Tonight is expected to bring “rain or sleet” across Munster, Connacht and Leinster and “snow is possible” while more is likely to fall on Thursday in Ulster.

In the first Status Yellow snow and ice alert, which applies to Connacht, plus Cavan and Monaghan, there are warnings about hazardous driving conditions, poor visibility, and travel disruption. It runs from 2am on Thursday until 6pm, while the second Status Yellow snow and ice alert is specifically for Donegal on Thursday from 11am until 8pm.

The third Status Yellow snow and ice warning, which was issued by the UK Met Office, applies to the six counties in the North.

It runs from 6am on Thursday to 6am on Friday and could cause “disruption on Thursday and into Friday morning”.

The Arctic blast began last night with the national forecaster saying that the rest of this week will be “cold with frost and icy stretches”. Some wintry showers are possible overnight, with more on the way tomorrow.

It comes as Met Eireann has issued an ominous warning that there is the potential for cold weather to last for several weeks.

Its long-range forecast predicts that cold conditions could persist until February 25.

Met Eireann said: “Wednesday morning will be cold with frost and icy stretches. It will be mostly dry apart from the chance of isolated showers in the northwest.

“Otherwise there’ll be hazy sunny spells at first, but cloud will spread from the south through the day and patchy rain will develop in the south and south-west.

“Highest temperatures of 4C to 7C in a light and variable wind.”

The forecast added for tomorrow: “Rain and sleet will continue over the northern half of the country on Thursday night, with scattered showers further south. Further falls of snow are possible on higher ground in the north.”

-3C

How cold it will be in some areas of the country this week