Yellow rain warning set to dampen New Year's Eve spirits

Revellers ringing in the New Year in Cork may need to pack an umbrella, with Met Éireann issuing a yellow rain warning for the county.

There is more bad news on the way, with the national forecaster also predicting that a cold snap will hit the country over the coming days as an Arctic airmass moves towards Europe — with temperatures set to drop as low as –4C by Thursday.

The yellow rain warning issued for Cork and Kerry will come into effect from 6pm today and will remain in place until 6am tomorrow.

Met Éireann has warned that, during this time, there are likely to be heavy spells of rainfall, with the potential for localised flooding and hazardous travelling conditions.

Wet and windy 

“It will be a wet and windy night in the South-West and South for the New Year’s Eve festivities, especially in those counties where we have warnings in place, with persistent rain and some flurries of sleet or snow possible,” said Met Éireann deputy head of forecasting Liz Coleman.

“So plan ahead if you are going to be out and about celebrating."

For New Year’s Eve in Cork and the wider Munster region, it is set to be windy in the morning with rain quickly extending to all areas. 

Rain may ease off in northern parts of the province for a time in the afternoon, before becoming widespread and heavier again in the evening.

Highest temperatures will range from 10C to 12C, with strong and gusty southwesterly winds, easing by evening.

New Year’s Day will see heavy rain for a time, mainly in eastern and southern regions, with some falls of sleet or snow possible. This will clear away south-eastwardly during the day. 

It may be windy in parts for a time also, with winds becoming northwesterly and gradually easing. Some sunny spells will develop with showers in parts.

Thursday is set to be largely dry, sunny, and cold with just a few light showers — some of which may be wintry along north-facing coasts.

For the following few days and into the opening weekend of January, it is forecasted to be very cold, largely dry, and bright with widespread frosts developing during the nights.

There will be well-scattered wintry showers too, mainly in northern and some western parts. Some fog and freezing fog will develop by night and will be slow to clear by day.