Temperatures to plummet as ‘Beast from the East’ sweeps in
Country faces week of icy winds and freezing weather
A SIBERIAN front – nicknamed the ‘Beast from the East’ – is set to bring freezing wintry conditions back with a vengeance.
Ireland faces a week of icy winds and frigid temperatures as a vast high-pressure zone forces a freezing front from the Scandinavian and Russian Arctic westwards.
The front will stall over Ireland and the UK for almost a week and postpone milder spring weather conditions until early March.
Shoppers, sports fans and revellers will enjoy bouts of sunshine both today and tomorrow before Ireland falls fully into the grip of the freezing weather front.
Walkers and hikers have been warned not to underestimate the conditions – with the bright sunshine set to be followed by icy temperatures almost 6C colder than normal.
Some places, particularly along exposed coastal areas, will be hit with blustery conditions and wintry showers of sleet and hail, some of which may be very heavy.
However, the full force of the Scandinavian-Siberian front will take hold from tomorrow before the mercury plummets on Tuesday with overnight temperatures possibly dropping to as low as -4C.
Today we will enjoy spells of sunshine with the Six Nations rugby clash between Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium likely to see largely calm and sunny, albeit cold, conditions.
A widespread frost is likely in the morning both today and tomorrow with a risk of black ice on higher ground along untreated road surfaces.
However, the Arctic front will dominate from tomorrow night with temperatures dramatically dropping off from Tuesday onwards.
Met Éireann warned the full affect of the Arctic winds will be felt from Thursday when daytime temperatures will remain at or below freezing for some parts of Ireland, particularly across north Leinster, Ulster and north Connacht.
Frost
“It will be exceptionally cold for this time of year,” a Met Éireann official warned.
“Some areas next week will see daytime temperatures hover around or slightly below freezing.
“Parts of Ireland will also see a widespread and severe ground frost.”
Most areas can expect ground frost every evening from tomorrow night – with road conditions likely to be treacherous in some areas, particularly along secondary routes and on higher ground.
Gardaí urged motorists to drive with care, particularly in the morning along secondary roads.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned motorists to adhere to winter driving rules – to slow down, allow extra time for journeys and to allow additional space to other drivers given the increased braking distances required.
Road salting and gritting operations will resume next week in light of the dramatic change in forecast weather conditions.
Irish Water Safety (IWS) also warned people to exercise extreme care near rivers, lakes and exposed coastal areas, particularly given the freezing conditions and the likelihood of strong gusts.
Age Action has urged people, in light of the icy snap, to check on their elderly or infirm neighbours and that they have proper heating supplies as well as hot food and drinks.