Ireland awaits a cold snap and snow, which will impact tourism

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Met Éireann has predicted that the week will begin with wet and windy conditions, particularly affecting the western and southwestern regions of Ireland, where the rainfall is expected to be most intense. There’s a risk of spot flooding in the most severely affected areas, though the forecast suggests that the rain will recede towards the south as the day progresses into the evening.

As the day unfolds, a noticeable drop in temperature is anticipated, leading to icy conditions. The day’s highest temperatures are likely to vary between 5°C and 8°C, although the southern parts may experience somewhat warmer conditions, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 11°C or 12°C before declining later.

The forthcoming night is expected to be clear and dry, albeit with the potential for wintry showers along the northern coastline. The occurrence of frost and ice is highly likely, as overnight temperatures are set to fall below freezing point, dropping to as low as -2°C in some areas, particularly in the midlands where it will be coldest.

Wednesday morning is forecasted to remain mostly dry, save for some isolated showers in the northwest. Despite some early hazy sunshine, clouds will begin to gather from the south, bringing patchy rain to the south and southwest later in the day. Met Éireann’s outlook for the rest of the week indicates a continuation of the cold weather, characterized by frost, icy conditions, and the potential for wintry precipitation, including sleet or snow.

Snow accumulation is a possibility, especially on higher ground by Wednesday night, as precipitation in the form of rain or sleet is expected to spread across Munster, Connacht, and Leinster, with temperatures ranging from -3°C to +2°C.

Thursday is likely to see the rain and sleet moving northwards, raising the potential for snowfall in those regions. It will remain cold and breezy, with daytime temperatures hovering between 2°C and 5°C.

The weather on Friday is predicted to be unsettled, with further spells of rain or sleet. The weekend also looks to be damp, with Saturday expected to be particularly cloudy and rainy.

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