Dublin will continue to face wintry weather as frost and ice hit parts of the county today.
The country is grappling with the possibility of snow, which is predicted to occur tomorrow. A winter weather warning remains in place nationwide, effective until Saturday, as temperatures plunge below zero.
There will be spells of bright winter sunshine today, alongside the old isolated shower. Highest temperatures in Dublin range from 2 to 5 degrees, although it will become increasingly chilly as the evening progresses.
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Met Eireann has warned that temperatures will fall below the mercury later tonight, as Arctic conditions hit the entire country. Icy conditions will be widespread, with patches of freezing fog developing in some areas.
Snowfall that occurs on Thursday is expected to be mild. However, Met Eireann warns that even slight accumulations of snow could result in hazardous travel conditions for road users.
The freezing weather is likely to continue on into next week, although the exact forecast is uncertain past Monday. The national outlook for the next few days is below.
Today
A cold start this morning with frost, icy stretches and some fog patches. Many areas will have a dry day with spells of crisp winter sunshine. However, there will be a few showers in northern and northwestern coastal counties, some of hail or sleet. Highest temperatures of just 2 to 6 degrees in light or moderate northerly breezes.
Wednesday night
Mostly dry across Leinster and Munster overnight, but scattered showers will affect Connacht and Ulster, some turning wintry, especially over high ground. Towards dawn, a band of wintry showers will push south over Ulster. Widespread frost and ice overnight with lowest temperatures of -4 to zero degrees. Some patches of freezing fog developing also.
Thursday
An icy start on Thursday with patches of freezing fog in places. A band of wintry showers over Ulster will track southwards over the country. Some accumulations of snow are possible, especially in Midland counties and over high ground leading to hazardous travel conditions. Sunny spells and scattered wintry showers will follow. Maximum temperatures of just 0 to +3 degrees in light north or variable winds.
Thursday night
A severe frost will set in quickly after dark and it will turn icy in places. There will be some wintry showers in Atlantic coastal counties of Connacht and Ulster and also for a time in parts of east Leinster. A covering of snow is possible where showers occur. Lowest temperatures of -5 to -2 degrees in a light northerly breeze. Patches of freezing fog developing also.
Friday
Friday will begin very cold with icy stretches, some lying snow and patches of freezing fog. Much of the country will be dry with sunshine developing. Wintry showers will affect some Atlantic coastal counties, possibly heavy or thundery near the coast. Maximum temperatures generally ranging from 0 to +3 degrees in light northwest or variable winds. Another very cold night on Friday night with a widespread sharp to severe frost and some icy stretches. Many areas will be dry but there will be showers affecting Atlantic coastal counties at times, many of hail and snow, but falling as rain near the coast. Lowest temperatures of -5 to zero degrees in light west or variable winds.
Saturday
A very cold day on Saturday with frost and ice lingering through much of the day along with some patches of freezing fog. Dry for many but a few wintry showers will occur. Highest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in light, variable winds. Widespread frost and ice on Saturday night. Mostly dry with some freezing fog. Lowest temperatures of -5 to zero degrees.
Sunday
Temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for most on Sunday with frost, ice and freezing fog persisting throughout the day. Mainly dry apart from isolated showers in some coastal margins. Highest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees in light, variable winds. Widespread frost and ice overnight with lows ranging from -6 to -2 degrees. Largely dry apart from isolated wintry showers.
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