Status Orange - Low Temperature/Ice warning comes into effect for Meath on Wednesday

Temperatures are expected to stay in the sub-zero zone for the coming days with the mercury set to dip to a possible -5 as most of the country enters a Status Orange - Low Temperature/Ice warning.

Meath as well as Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon have all been included in the Orange Alert.

Met Éireann is forecasting widespread temperatures below -5 degrees leading to severe frost and ice. The alert is valid from 6pm on Wednesday to 12pm Thursday, 15/12/2022

It is expected to remain very cold through the week with widespread sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches.

Wednesday will start dry and sunny with isolated showers in the northwest and north, turning to sleet and snow in places. Afternoon temperatures of zero or 1 degrees, slightly higher at coasts. Light to moderate north to northeast winds. Temperatures will be as low as minus 4 degrees by late afternoon and will continue to fall during the evening.

Possible impacts include:

• Treacherous conditions on paths and roads

• Travel disruption

• Potential supply disruption

• Potential for burst water pipes and damage to engines

• Increased risks to vulnerable members of the community

• Animal welfare issues

• Slack winds over land leading to reduced wind power generation

Staying very cold throughout the working week with widespread frost and ice. Most areas will remain dry and bright with just occasional wintry showers near coasts. Winds will remain generally light.

Wednesday night: Another very cold night with lowest temperatures of -8 to -1 degrees, or locally lower, with widespread severe frost and icy stretches developing. Remaining generally clear and dry in a light northerly breeze, though there will be isolated wintry showers in the north and northwest.

Thursday: Dry for most with plenty of sunshine. There will be a few showers of rain and sleet in the north and northwest. Daytime temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees in a light northwesterly breeze.

Thursday night: A few more wintry showers in the northwest but otherwise it will remain dry. Patches of freezing fog may develop with lowest temperatures of -7 to -2 degrees in a light westerly or variable breeze. Widespread frost and icy conditions will persist.

Friday: A dry and bright day for much of the country but showers of rain and sleet will move into western areas through the day. Still very cold with afternoon temperatures no higher than 1 to 4 degrees in light to moderate southwest winds.

Friday night: Very cold with some lingering showers of rain and sleet in western areas. Elsewhere will stay dry but there is the chance of an isolated shower in the south. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees.

Saturday: A dry and bright day, apart from isolated coastal showers in the south and west. Turning cloudier after nightfall. Daytime temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees.

Further outlook: There is a good deal of uncertainty in the forecast from Sunday onwards. Current indications suggest that it will turn more unsettled and milder with spells of rain at times.