Met Éireann Warns of Snow, Thunderstorms and Icy Conditions as Weekend Begins

Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for parts of Ireland, forecasting snow, thunderstorms and icy overnight temperatures as the weekend gets underway.

While the country has largely avoided the worst impacts of Storm Goretti, which has caused significant disruption in the UK, unsettled conditions are expected to persist over the coming days.

According to the national forecaster, low-pressure systems will dominate the weather pattern, bringing spells of rain and, at times, strong winds. Although conditions are expected to turn milder from Sunday, with overnight temperatures rising to around 5°C, the immediate outlook points to a cold and wet few days.

Friday will begin with frost and icy patches, particularly on untreated surfaces, though conditions are expected to improve during the day with bright spells. However, a wintry mix of rain, hail and sleet—along with the possibility of light snow over higher ground—will affect Munster, parts of Connacht and north Ulster. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible. Daytime temperatures will range between 3°C and 7°C before dropping to as low as –2°C overnight.

Saturday will start cold, with frost, ice and fog in many areas. Outbreaks of rain and drizzle are expected later in the day. While temperatures will rise slightly overnight, conditions will remain cold, with lows around 0°C.

Sunday is forecast to be milder but increasingly windy, with widespread rain turning heavy in places and a chance of hail. Daytime temperatures are expected to recover into the high single digits and low double digits.

Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said Friday would bring a mix of sunny spells and showers, particularly in the southwest, with the risk of heavy, thundery downpours. “It will still feel cool on Saturday, but by Sunday temperatures will climb back into double digits, reaching around 10°C, though conditions will turn wet and windy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has issued a Yellow Ice Warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry, effective from midnight until 11 am. The warning cites clearing skies and scattered wintry showers as factors likely to cause icy patches and potential disruption.

Friday Outlook

Friday will start cold with frost and icy patches that may be slow to clear. It will be bright overall, with sunny spells and scattered showers, mainly affecting Munster and parts of Connacht and north Ulster. Showers will be wintry in nature, with rain, hail and sleet, and some snow possible on higher ground. Isolated thunderstorms may also occur. Highest temperatures will range from 3°C to 7°C, coldest in the northeast, with light to moderate westerly winds, turning fresh to strong northwesterly in the southwest.

Tonight will be cold and largely dry, though scattered wintry showers will continue in northern and western areas. Temperatures will fall to between –2°C and 3°C, with frost, ice patches and some fog or freezing fog developing, particularly where winds are light.