Met Éireann warns snow and ice to follow today's winds and rain

IRELAND IS set to be battered by high winds and rain today, followed by wintry weather which is likely to lead to snow and ice in many parts.

Met Éireann has issued a “severe” weather warning, with gusts expected of between 110km/h and 140km/h today along exposed coasts and over higher ground.

More than an inch (25mm) of rain is possible over much of Connacht, west Munster and west Ulster, with totals of between 15mm and 20mm elsewhere. Some flooding is likely.

Met Éireann has also warned that high winds and driving rain will cause additional flooding in coastal areas, with waves as high as 8 metres to 10 metres. AA Roadwatch has issued a warning to drivers to slow down, keep a safe distance and use dipped headlights to improve visibility.

The association said the advice was particularly pertinent for the 15,000 people expected at the International Rally 2009 in Co Galway, which will experience some of the worst of today’s weather.

The wet and windy weather is likely to turn cold by this evening and the cold snap will last until Wednesday.

Tomorrow is expected to be cold and breezy, while tomorrow night will have a widespread ground frost.

Monday and Tuesday are expected to be very cold, with snow and ice expected in many parts, before milder weather returns on Wednesday.

Met Éireann forecaster Joan Blackburn said temperatures would be similar during the day to the cold snap around the Christmas period, but, while that period was dry, next week is likely to see extensive sleet and snow.

The wind means that temperatures at night will be higher than of late, but it will feel colder during the day because of the wind-chill factor.

“We had cold but dry conditions over the Christmas,” Ms Blackburn said. “That does not look likely to be the case in this set-up.

“We are looking at hail, sleet and snow showers. The western and northern counties will get them first, and get the worst of them, but there is a chance that it will spread to the south and east of the country.”

Temperatures will be no higher than 5 degrees during the day and they might not rise above freezing in some places where snow has fallen.

Temperatures at night will be below freezing, leading to treacherous roads, particularly in the north and west,

Overall, though, temperatures are unlikely to fall below the -8 degrees which was recorded earlier this month