Cold snap on the way as Met Éireann issues countrywide weather advisory 

Met Éireann has said a transition to "significantly colder conditions" will take place from Monday as it issued a countrywide weather advisory today. 

The colder conditions, the national forecaster said, will last through much of next week.

Frost and ice will be likely, with the potential for sleet, snow and hail for some counties. 

The weather advisory is currently valid from now until midnight on Saturday week. 

“After an unusually mild start to November, people are going to get quite a shock as the temperatures plummet next week, which is why we have issued an advisory for Ireland," Met Éireann’s deputy head of forecasting, Liz Coleman, said. 

“Details are uncertain with the exact track of a low-pressure system on Sunday night and during Monday, but at present, some heavy and persistent rain is expected in the west and north with the possibility of some sleet and snow over parts of Ulster on Monday. Met Éireann will be monitoring this situation closely over the weekend.

“However, there is a high degree of certainty that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic airmass sinks over the country from the north. 

“Daytime temperatures will often range around 2 to 6 degrees with night-time temperatures widely falling below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice. 

“The northerly airflow will also bring showers of sleet and snow, these most frequent over the northern half of the country but there is potential for some showers to reach further south. 

“These conditions will bring some hazardous travelling conditions, travel disruptions and poor visibility."

Ms Coleman said the extent of the wintry showers in terms of snow is still unclear, but said that Met Éireann will have more information as its high resolution model comes into play, which provides forecast information two days ahead.