Ireland is bracing for the first proper cold snap of winter as Met Eireann has forecast snow and ice for this week with temperatures plunging well below freezing.
And now it looks like the severe weather conditions will last into next week with no end in sight. Carlow Weather has warned that the cold weather will carry on into the weekend and next week.
While milder air will attempt to push its way across Ireland, some models are showing that the freezing weather isn't going anywhere. Temperatures during the cold snap are expected to reach -4C.
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Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather tweeted: "The overnight weather models continue to show cold through the weekend into next week but huge uncertainty from around the 14th with milder air trying to push back in. Some models show the cold holding it back and extending cold spell however it is wait and see."
Met Eireann is currently on stand-by to issue weather warnings, but have confirmed that snow, ice and severe frost are coming this week. The national forecaster said: "Very cold this week as an Arctic airmass sets in, bringing sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads. Showers of hail, sleet, and snow will occur during the second half of the week. Updates with potential warnings will be issued in the coming days"
Tomorrow will see temperatures in Dublin and across the country plummet to -3 overnight. Wintry showers are expected to hit Wednesday night with possible snow and very icy conditions.
Thursday could see further snow in parts of the country, and the night will be bitterly cold with temperatures hitting -4C. More wintery showers are expected. The cold weather will continue into Friday with overnight temperatures hitting -3C.
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