Met Éireann issues new weather warning for entire country amid snow and ice threat

Met Éireann has issued a new weather warning covering the entire country as they predict a week-long cold snap thanks to an Arctic weather system.

Met Éireann has already issued a weather warning for snow for multiple counties. The Status Yellow snow-ice warning comes into effect for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim and all Northern counties on Monday evening.

The warning says "snowfall accumulations are possible this evening and overnight" and it remains in place until 8am on Tuesday. Met Éireann lists possible impacts as "poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions."

In an update, the national forecaster has issued a fresh Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the entire country.

They say it will be "very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches" and list impacts as "hazardous conditions on roads and paths" and "some travel disruption."

The warning will be in effect from 8pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday and again from 8pm Wednesday to 10am on Thursday.

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In their full forecast for Monday, Met Éireann says: "Rain will spread across Munster, Connacht and Leinster this morning, extending into Ulster this afternoon and evening. It will be heavy at times, turning to sleet or snow in parts of Ulster and north Connacht later this evening. Afternoon highs of 3 to 6 degrees over the northern half of the country and 7 to 12 degrees elsewhere in light to moderate easterly or variable winds.

"Cloudy tonight [Monday] with continued outbreaks of rain, turning to sleet and snow in parts of Ulster and north Connacht with some accumulations possible. Becoming dry in north Ulster by dawn with frost and ice developing. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees generally, a little milder in Munster and south Leinster. Moderate easterly winds over the northern half of the country and fresh to strong westerly winds further south."

They add that "outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will move southwards" on Tuesday, "turning mainly to rain and sleet before clearing to the south during the afternoon. Sunny spells will follow with scattered wintry showers in the north towards evening. Highest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees generally and from 5 to 8 degrees in Munster. Moderate to fresh easterly winds for most, fresh to strong westerly in Munster, will veer northerly and ease moderate behind the rain."

"Tuesday night will be dry in most areas with clear spells. Wintry showers will affect northern parts of Ulster and Connacht. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with frost and icy patches," the forecast continues.

"Wednesday will be cold and mainly dry with sunny spells. Frost will gradually clear, but will linger in some sheltered areas. Some wintry showers, mainly in western and north parts of Connacht and Ulster. Highs of 3 to 5 degrees generally, with mostly moderate west to northwest winds.

"Wednesday night will be dry and clear in many parts but scattered wintry showers will continue in parts of the west and north. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with frost and icy patches and mainly light to moderate northwest or variable breezes.

"Frost and ice will again be slow to thaw [Thursday], perhaps lingering all day in some parts. Many areas will be dry and cold with spells of sunshine but scattered showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow will affect western and northern parts. Afternoon highs of 2 to 5 degrees with mostly moderate northwest winds, fresh at times near coasts.

"Many areas dry with clear spells [on Thursday night]. Scattered wintry showers will continue to affect mainly the west and north, with a few spreading elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees with frost and icy patches. Light to moderate westerly winds, fresh at times on eastern and northern coasts.

"Friday will continue cold and mainly dry. It will be somewhat cloudier with wintry showers in the west. Afternoon highs of 2 to 6 degrees, a with light to moderate southwest breezes.

"On Friday night, it will become wet and windy as persistent or heavy rain move eastwards, possibly turning to sleet or snow for a time and accompanied by fresh to strong southerly winds.

"Saturday will continue windy with further spells of rain or showers, winds will ease on Sunday," it concludes.