Two weather warnings in place as more snow and ice predicted

Two low-level weather warnings have been issued by Met Éireann as winds in all areas are set to reach gale force, with the possibility of a return of snow and ice, over coming days.

The first weather warning is a status yellow wind warning for Cos Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick. Met Éireann said west to southwest winds will veer west to northwest with average speeds of up to 65km/h and gusts of up to 85km/h expected. The warning is valid from 12 noon on Wednesday until 10pm on Thursday.

The second weather warning is for snow and ice across the whole country and is valid from 11am Wednesday until 8pm on Thursday. Met Éireann said scattered heavy thundery showers on Wednesday into Thursday will fall initially as rain but will occasionally turn to sleet and possibly snow - with accumulations of less than 3cms possible. The northwest will be most at risk. Slippery roads and paths are expected due to frost and ice, especially for sheltered spots.

Conditions were expected to be very cold overnight under broken cloud with some frost and the risk of ice. Heavy showers were predicted for Atlantic coastal counties and these could become widespread later, with the threat of hail and thunder. Wednesday will be windy with minimum temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees. It will be coldest across the midlands, north and east.

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Met Éireann forecaster Siobhán Ryan said Wednesday will “feel bitterly cold”, possibly the coldest of recent days, due to the wind chill factor. She said winds may abate by the weekend giving brighter, sunnier weather but it will be still cold.

Regional forecasts are as follows:-

Connacht

Wednesday will be a cold, blustery, showery day, with occasional bright spells. Showers will be fairly widespread, many heavy and some prolonged. Some will fall as hail or sleet or possibly snow, with a few thunderstorms likely. Top temperatures of 5 to 7 degrees expected. Westerly winds will be strong and gusty and up to gale force along coasts.

Leinster

Wednesday will be a cold, blustery, showery day, with occasional bright spells. Showers will be fairly widespread, some heavy and prolonged, with hail or sleet or possibly snow and a few thunderstorms likely. Top temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees. Westerly winds will be strong and gusty.

Munster

Wednesday will be a cold, blustery, showery day, with occasional bright spells. Showers will be fairly widespread, many heavy and some prolonged and hail or sleet, with a few thunderstorms likely. Top temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees. Westerly winds will be strong and gusty and up to gale force along Atlantic coasts.

Ulster

Wednesday will be a cold, blustery, showery day, with occasional bright spells. Showers will be fairly widespread, many heavy and some prolonged with hail, sleet or snow and a few thunderstorms likely. Top temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees. Westerly winds will be strong and gusty and up to gale force along coasts.