Warnings likely amid new big freeze Ireland weather forecast and snow blast

Ireland is bracing for an even colder blast of cold weather this weekend after a week of ice, frost and fog. 

Weather models are now aligning to agree on a fresh Arctic blast of weather coming our way after much debate during the week. The new cold spell could bring temperature to -7 degrees or lower with snow now being forecasted for multiple areas.

In his latest update, forecaster Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel said an extension of Met Éireann's current cold weather advisory now looks likely.

He posted: "High pressure remains in control and, you may have noticed, we’ve started to lose the brisk easterly winds.
Overnight and this morning [Thursday] the latest set of weather model updates have revealed some changes, though overall next week will remain bitterly cold, with a continued risk of snow in some areas, though with a reduced risk of widespread snow pushing up from the south.

"Between now and Sunday our weather is mostly dry and settled, benign really, but where the skies clear by night a sharp frost will develop with temperatures dropping a couple of degrees below zero, with a risk of fog patches also developing due to the lack of winds and cool temperatures.

"The first significant change emerges on Sunday when a cold northerly airflow develops, feeding in much colder air, and also bringing with it some snow showers to parts of Ulster and North Connacht, with a dusting of snow likely here by the end of the night. Elsewhere, it’s dry and crisp with a severe frost on Sunday night with temperatures down to -5.

"Cold and sunny on Monday but with temperatures struggling to reach beyond freezing in some areas, with highs of 2-3 degrees Celsius in the south. Dry for most but some snow showers are again likely in Ulster and North Connacht, perhaps a few into West Munster also.

"On Monday night and into Tuesday there’s a change of a more organised band of winter precipitation, with a risk or some accumulations of snow, especially on higher ground, pushing southwards, introducing further cold and showery weather for Tuesday with temperatures really struggling to climb above freezing.

"The ECMWF keeps our weather cold and crisp with a mix of long spells of winter sunshine and passing heavy snow showers for the remainder of the working week, with high pressure developing for the weekend but keeping this very cold with severe frosts likely throughout the week.

"Temperatures overnight next week could dip down to as low as -6 or -7 degrees Celsius in some sheltered areas. Daytime values throughout next week will struggle to get beyond freezing, perhaps up to 2-4 degrees Celsius in some Atlantic coastal areas of the south and southwest."

Meanwhile, Met Éireann's current cold weather advisory only runs until 9am on Saturday morning. A fresh advisory or even some weather warnings now look likely beyond the weekend.

In its latest outlook, Met Éireann says it looks like "staying very cold with mixed weather," with low temperatures sticking around.

"Tonight will be cold, dry and generally cloudy but a few breaks in the cloud will occur," they said in their forecast on Thursday.

"Some mist and fog will form in near calm conditions. It will be frosty in some areas under the clear breaks and minimum temperatures will fall to between - 2 and +3 degrees, coldest in Munster and Ulster.

"Mist and fog will slowly clear during the morning [on Friday]. It will be a mainly dry and cloudy day but a few bright or sunny spells will occur. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in light northeast or variable breezes.

"Friday night will be calm and dry with frost setting in. Lowest temperatures of -4 to +2 degrees, coldest in Munster and Leinster where some clear spells are expected.

"Mostly dry with occasional sunny spells for the morning [on Saturday], although a little drizzle is possible near the south coast. Cloud will move down from the north during the afternoon and evening, bringing some patches of light rain or drizzle to the northern half of the country. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees, coldest in the south, in a light and variable breeze.

"Cloud and patchy light rain or drizzle will continue sinking southwards [Saturday night], with clear spells following in the north later. Cold and frosty with lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees."

For Sunday, they foresee "a mostly cloudy start with patches of light rain or drizzle. Some sunny spells will develop through the day, with just isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate northerly wind.

"Very cold with clear spells and widespread frost [on Sunday night]. Most areas will be dry but there will be isolated wintry showers, mainly feeding into northern areas on a light to moderate northerly breeze. Lowest temperatures of -4 to 0 degrees.

"Cold with frost slow to clear [on Monday]. Most places will be dry and sunny but it will be cloudier in the north and west, bringing scattered wintry showers. Highest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees in a light and variable wind."