Irish weather: Met Éireann predicts freezing temperatures of -4C as Status Yellow ice and fog warnings extended for the entire country

The national forecaster has issued a further Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning, which remains in effect until 11am on Monday for all of the Republic of Ireland.

“Very cold day and night time temperatures with frost and ice persisting in places,” they said.

Motorists have been advised of hazardous travelling conditions during the warning, coupled with a Status Yellow fog warning – also for the entire country – in place until midday today, causing poor visibility.

It will be cold today with frost, ice and fog in many areas which will be slow to clear through the morning, possibly persisting in some areas.

Patchy rain in parts of Leinster and Munster will also clear through the morning to leave a generally dry day with just isolated showers, mainly along northern and eastern coasts.

However, rain and drizzle may return at times to southern coasts. The best of bright or sunny spells will develop through the afternoon. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 5 degrees.

A cold night is expected tonight but it will be predominately dry with just isolated wintry showers, most likely along eastern and northern fringes, and some light rain or drizzle possible for the southeast.

Some patches of fog or freezing fog will form again through the night, with lowest temperatures of -4 to 0 degrees on the way and light to moderate northerly winds developing, which are expected to be fresher for southern and eastern counties.

On Monday, fog, frost and ice will clear through the morning to leave a cold day with spells of winter sunshine.

There will be plenty of dry weather with just well-scattered showers, some of which may turn wintry, along with some light rain or drizzle for eastern counties. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 or 7 degrees are expected.

A Status Yellow marine gale warning from Belfast Lough to Howth Head to Hook Head and on the Irish Sea will come into effect from 3pm on Monday, lasting until 6am on Tuesday.

“Northerly winds will reach gale force 8 at times,” the warning states.

Monday night will be very cold and mostly dry with sharp to severe frosts developing and with just a chance of isolated showers near northern coasts.

Lowest temperatures will generally be -3 to +1 degrees, although it will be slightly milder though for eastern areas with patchy light rain or drizzle possible. Northerly breezes will ease light variable, allowing some fog or freezing fog to develop.

Tuesday will be cold and frosty or icy to start with some fog and plenty of winter sunshine. It will be dry for most with just light outbreaks of rain and drizzle along eastern counties. Cloud will slowly build from the southwest through the day with outbreaks of rain or drizzle developing in the far southwest towards morning. Highest temperatures will be just 1 to 5 degrees.

Tuesday night will be dry for most at first with lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees and coldest in the north. It will turn milder from the southwest overnight as southeasterly winds strengthen and as outbreaks of rain extend northeastwards with some initial falls of sleet possible.

Temperatures will begin to pick up following the end of the arctic airflow, with Met Éireann removing the weather advisory from 11.30pm on Tuesday night, following days of sub-zero temperatures.

Wednesday will be wet and breezy but a milder day with fresh to strong and gusty southeasterly winds. Outbreaks of rain, heavy in places, may lead to some spot flooding.

Highest afternoon temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees are expected, with things coolest in the north. Overnight, it will generally be mild, wet and breezy.

Thursday will also see the weather continue to be much milder however it will be wet and breezy with heavy outbreaks of rain followed by blustery showers and highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees.

“Current indications suggest that the rest of the week will continue unsettled with further spells of wet and breezy or windy weather,” Met Éireann said.