Big freeze with snow coming to Kildare on Thursday

Part of the big freeze that has killed 20 people across Europe is hitting Co Kildare later this week.

Met Eireann warned the severe cold snap is due to hit Ireland on Wednesday night and Thursday morning and will stay for a number of days.

One weather website is warning of snow in Kildare on Thursday morning and temperatures plunging to -3 degrees.

Bitterly cold 

Met Eireann forecasters said we're in for 'bitterly cold' weather by Thursday as temperatures plummet below -1C.

The cold snap will continue throughout the weekend with severe frosts at night and wintery showers.

The Forecast.io weather website is warning of flurries of snow in Co Kildare on Thursday morning and the following sub-zero temperatures in coming days:

Thursday: -2 degrees 

Friday: -3 degrees 

Saturday: -1 degrees

The crippling cold snap across Europe has seen the Greek islands and parts of southern Italy blanketed in snow while a snowstorm hit Istanbul.

Met Eireann said Thursday will be a 'bitterly cold day' with temperatures only rising to between 3C and 6C in moderate to fresh westerly winds.

Wintry showers 

A forecaster added: “There’ll be a mix of sunny spells and scattered wintry showers.

“The highest risk of snow will be in the morning and during the evening and night. Frost will develop on Thursday night.”

Friday will continue to be very cold with sunny spells and further rain, sleet and snow showers.

There will be a sharp frost on Friday night and the weekend will continue very cold with further showers of rain, sleet or snow and with sharp or severe frosts at night.

Snow in 2016