Temperatures set to plummet as Ireland braced for freezing temperatures and fog

Ireland is facing plunging temperatures at the weekend with a risk of hail showers in the coming days. 

A chilly start is predicted by Met Éireann for Thursday with patchy frost in southern areas. It will be a mostly dry day across Leinster and Munster with sunshine and just the odd shower.

However, it will be somewhat cloudier across Connacht and Ulster with occasional bright spells and scattered showers, some heavy. Maximum temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in a moderate to fresh west or southwest breeze.

Clear spells and scattered showers are forecast for Thursday night, with showers most frequent in Atlantic coastal areas, some of hail. It will be rather cold with patches of frost and ice forming in some sheltered areas, mainly across the east and south of the country. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in generally moderate northwest winds, fresh along the Atlantic coast.

A nice cool clear morning for most and a nice bit of sunshine ahead. Down to 1.4c at my station with a little on the car windscreen, a sign of what is to come. pic.twitter.com/FbDBprT3Pv

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 4, 2024

Friday is forecast to be a bright but rather cold day with sunshine and showers. The showers will be most frequent across the west and north of the country with the chance of hail. Top temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds.

Saturday looks set to be a fine day with lots of sunshine expected once early mist or fog clears. Highest temperatures will range from 5 to 8 degrees in light breezes which will vary in direction. 

However, it will be very cold on Saturday night with widespread frost developing along with some icy patches. Areas of mist and fog will form with the potential for some pockets of freezing fog. Lowest temperatures generally ranging from -3 to zero degrees in light variable breezes or near calm conditions.

A cold and frosty start on Sunday. Mist and fog will struggle to clear in many inland areas, lingering throughout much of the day. Where mist or fog clears it will be dry and mostly sunny.

Highest temperatures generally ranging from 2 to 5 degrees but holding near freezing where fog lingers. Another cold and frosty night on Sunday night with some mist or fog at first. However, a moderate southeast breeze will develop later allowing a few showers to drift in to Irish Sea coastal areas and clearing much of the fog. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees.