Weather alert: snow and Storm Caroline heading for Ireland

Ireland is set for strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures, according to Met Éireann, which has issued a yellow weather warning.

Storm Caroline, the third Atlantic storm this season, is due to affect Ireland between about 3am and 8pm on Thursday, generating winds of 55-65km/h, with gusts of up to 110 km/h in coastal areas and on high ground, as it passes on its way towards northern Scotland. The yellow warning is in place for Cos Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry.

Met Éireann said Thursday will be bitterly cold overall, with gusty north to northwest breezes bringing showers over parts of Ulster, Connacht and west Munster by the afternoon. Some of the showers will bring heavy hail, with an increasing risk of sleet and snow towards evening. Daytime temperatures on Thursday will range from 3 to 8 degrees.

Thursday night will have scattered rain, hail and snow showers; the snow could also settle, especially in the north and northwest. Temperatures will fall to between minus 2 and plus 2 degrees, with frost and icy patches.

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Friday will also be cold, Met Éireann said, with sunshine and scattered rain, hail, sleet and snow showers, and temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in gusty northwesterly winds. The showers and winds will die down on Friday night, and widespread frost and icy patches will return as temperatures fall to between minus 2 and plus 3 degrees.

The previous Atlantic storm, named Brian, hit Ireland in late October, less than a week after what began as Hurricane Ophelia. The next Atlantic storm will be named Dylan.