110km/h winds to follow snow amid Met Éireann warnings and Ireland storm threat

Ireland could be blasted by 110km/h winds after a bout of snow and ice this week as weather experts monitor a "conveyor belt of storms coming out way."

Met Éireann has already issued a series of warnings and advisories for cold weather this week, including the threat of snow in four counties.

A Status Yellow low Temperature/Ice warning for the entire country is in place until 11am on Wednesday with Met Éireann warning that it will be "very cold this evening, tonight [Tuesday] and on Wednesday morning with severe frost and icy stretches."

They have also issued a Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo where forecasters say "snow showers could lead to some accumulations."

They foresee difficult travelling conditions and some travel and service disruption in these counties.

Meanwhile, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has given his take on a series of potential storms coming our way, including next weekend and next Tuesday.

"As we see our current cold and setters spells breakdown during Saturday there exists the potential for some stormy weather to develop through Sunday, though there’s great uncertainty at present," he said.

"The ECMWF ensemble forecast reveals a deepening storm depression that will sit somewhere off the northwest coast of Ireland, with associated weather fronts crossing the country. 

"At the moment the track looks like keeping the worst of the winds to our northwest, with perhaps status yellow warnings likely countrywide for a time on Sunday, with gusts between 90-110km/h, strongest in the northwest.

"There of course is the potential for that picture to change, given that the low pressure in question will only form over the next 72 hours across the Gulf of Mexico. 

"At the moment I expect Ireland will miss the worst of the these conditions," he concluded.

According to Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather, we could be about to wave goodbye to the current cold spell and say hello to a "conveyor belt of storms" from the Atlantic.

Alan said: "The Atlantic conveyor belt of storms will come roaring back after this cold spell. Firstly for the weekend and then risk of some nasty systems coming our way next week. Sunday and Tuesday likely to see first two systems with Tuesday’s looking potentially nasty."

Looking to the weekend first, Alan said that "latest weather models bring a potentially nasty storm near Ireland Sunday with risk of very strong winds and rain," adding, "this one needs careful watching."

Latest weather models bring potentially nasty storm near Ireland Sunday with risk of very strong winds and rain. This one needs careful watching! pic.twitter.com/qqPR5HQWje

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 16, 2024

Met Éireann is also predicting some wild weather next weekend. They said it will be "an unsettled weekend but milder, as wet and breezy, possibly windy, weather moves over the country."

Between now and then, Ireland will continue to be gripped by cold weather with overnight temperatures reaching a low as -5 degrees in some places.

"Tuesday will continue very cold. Frost and ice in many areas, clearing slowly and lingering on places. Some further out breaks of rain, sleet or snow in Ulster, north Connacht and north Leinster, turning mostly to rain. Brighter further south with some sunshine. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees with moderate southwest to west winds," Met Éireann's latest forecast said.

"Patchy cloud along with some light rain and drizzle will affect the southern half of the country overnight. Long clear spells developing further north with isolated showers of rain, with sleet and snow possible near northern and northwestern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -4 to -1 degrees with a sharp to severe frost and icy stretches forming. A light northerly or variable breeze will also allow patches of fog or freezing fog to develop.

"A bitterly cold day [Wednesday] with frost, ice, fog and freezing fog at first leading to hazardous travelling conditions, slow to clear through the morning. Otherwise, a largely dry day with good spells of winter sunshine though scattered showers of sleet and snow will affect the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 4 degrees generally, not rising above freezing in some areas, in light northwest breezes.

"Another very cold night [Wednesday night] with widespread frost and icy stretches forming. Dry and clear for most but scattered showers of sleet and snow will mainly affect the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of -5 to -2 degrees in mostly light northwest breezes."

Looking to Thursday, they predict "a frosty or icy start, followed by another very cold day with scattered wintry showers in the north and northwest. Generally dry and sunny elsewhere with just the odd stray shower possible. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwest to west breezes. Overnight temperatures generally falling between -5 and -2 degrees.

"Another very cold and bright start to the day [on Friday] with widespread frost and some icy stretches. Scattered showers will mainly affect Atlantic counties. Cloud will thicken from the west later in the day. Highest afternoon temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees. Light westerly breezes will back southerly, strengthening through the afternoon and evening."