The warning details how parts of the country could see temperatures fall below -3C, causing "hazardous traveling conditions" and "animal welfare issues".
The warning is set to come into effect at 6 pm this evening (January 2) and will remain in place until 11 am tomorrow (January 3). The warning comes as thousands head back to work after the Christmas break.
Heavy wind and rain
⚠️Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland⚠️
Very cold with widespread frost & ice as temps fall to -3 C or below in many areas.
Potential Impacts:
➡️Hazardous travelling conditions
➡️Animal welfare issuesFor more information: https://t.co/3041XHjphi pic.twitter.com/NmCx1AmikL
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 2, 2025
Heavy wind and rain have also not been ruled out as an arctic airmass makes its way across the country, with parts of the country set to see highs of just 5C and lows of -2 or -3C.
Pointing to the weekend as the estimated time of arrival for snow, ice and wintry showers, a Met Éireann forecaster explained that while the fog and frost will clear on Saturday morning, making way for drier conditions, it will be short-lived before things turn unpleasant.
"It now looks increasingly likely that an area of low pressure to the south of Ireland, will dominate our weather for the rest of the weekend," they said.
"Rain gradually spreading from the southwest over the course of the day, becoming heavy at times, especially later and as it meets the cold air further inland, it’ll turn to sleet and snow.
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Sleet and snow
"The area of low pressure is likely to track eastwards close to or over southern parts of the country on Saturday night, bringing widespread heavy falls of rain, sleet and snow.
"The precipitation will mainly fall as sleet and snow away from the south and southwest, with some significant accumulations expected. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +1C in moderate to fresh and gusty east to northeast winds, stronger in some coastal parts."
Sunday, January 5, will see further rainfall, sleet and some further significant snowfall accumulation for a time.
Nationwide
The weather giant confirmed that things will "become drier" in the west of the country later in the day, but things will remain cold nationwide with a temperature range of -2C to 7C.
the forecaster said: "Any remaining rain, sleet and snow will clear eastwards on Sunday night, with clear spells following.
"Scattered rain, hail, sleet and snow showers will follow too, mainly into the north and west.
Significant
"Very cold with some significant amounts of lying snow, widespread frost and ice. Lowest temperatures of -5 to 0 degrees with the north to northwest winds generally moderating."
Unfortunately, the story looks very much the same for next week, the first full week of 2025, with Met Éireann forecasting ‘bitterly cold’ conditions across the board.
"There’ll be treacherous conditions with some significant accumulations of lying snow along with widespread severe frost and ice," a spokesperson for Met.ie revealed.
This week
Meanwhile, the national forecaster has released their forecaster for the rest of the week as thousands either return to work or enjoy the final days of the festive break.
Today, Thursday (January 2), will see any frost or ice clear in the late morning, making way for a mostly dry and sunny day in Leinster and Munster.
Scattered showers will dominate in Ulster and Connacht with the chance of hail and sleet at times, while the weather giant has also warned that some parts could see snow flurries.
Glacial conditions
"Highest temperatures of only 2 to 6 degrees in a light to moderate mainly north to northwest breeze," they said.
This evening will turn glacial, with temperatures plummeting to -5C mainly in northern counties.
Showers will turn wintry as widespread frost and ice develop, with commuters being warned of difficult conditions if leaving the office this evening.
Tomorrow, Friday (January 3), will be much the same again, as frost and fog reveal a relatively clear yet cold day.
A frosty morning in Dublin.
Scattered showers will occur during the day, turning wintry in the west of the country, with Ulster experiencing heavier, more persistent rain instead.
"Highest temperatures of 2 to 6C in mostly light to moderate westerly or variable breezes, the winds fresher for a time in coastal parts of the north and northeast," Met Éireann said.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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