Yellow weather warnings issued for much of Ireland with snow, ice and rain forecast

Weather warnings have been issued for much of the country with snow and ice forecast for some areas and heavy rain expected in others.

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow snow-ice warning for counties Clare, Tipperary, Galway, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow. It runs from 3am on Thursday until 1pm that afternoon.

“Sleet and snow for a time leading to some accumulations, most significant on higher ground,” the forecaster said.

A separate status yellow snow-ice warning has been issued for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Longford. It runs from 5am on Thursday until 8pm that evening.

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Met Éireann said this would lead to hazardous driving conditions, travel disruption, poor visibility and ice on untreated surfaces.

Meanwhile, a status yellow rain warning will come into effect for counties Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow from 5am on Thursday for 24 hours.

A UK Met Office yellow warning will come into effect for counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone from 6am on Thursday until 6am on Friday.

“A period of snowfall could bring some disruption on Thursday and into Friday morning,” it said.

Frost and ice are to set in for a time tonight under clear skies before outbreaks of rain gradually move up from the southwest. These showers will turn to sleet and snow in some parts towards morning, especially across the west and the north midlands. Lowest temperatures of -2 to 3 degrees are expected, but conditions may be colder in parts of Ulster.

Met Éireann said Thursday would get off to a cloudy and breezy start with outbreaks or rain, sleet and snow.

“Moderate accumulations are possible, especially across the north, west and north midlands with a light dusting [of snow] possible elsewhere,” it said. “Wintry falls will persist across the north with sunny spells and showers developing elsewhere. More general rain will arrive into southern countries later.

“Cold with an added wind chill factor owing to a fresh-to-strong easterly wind. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees generally; somewhat milder however across southern counties with highest temperature of 7 to 11 degrees.”

Thursday night is to be cold again, with temperatures falling towards zero and rain and sleet persisting across Ulster. Friday is also to be an unsettled day with scattered outbreaks of rain and some sleet possible across Ulster.

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