Colder weather ahead in Cork with frost predicted for weekend

The first weekend of the New Year could see sharp frost and ice, Met Éireann has warned.

Today should be mild enough in Cork, the national forecaster has predicted, but there may be colder weather ahead as the week comes to a close.

New Year’s Eve on Leeside will see variable cloud and sunny spells, with any frost clearing early on.

The day will be dry for the most part, with just the chance of a little drizzle near southern coasts, with highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees, and mostly light variable breezes, becoming westerly this evening.

Tonight should be dry with clear spells at first, giving way to cloudier conditions and patches of light rain and drizzle which are expected to move down from the north overnight.

The night will be cold, with lowest temperatures of -2 to +1 degrees, in light to moderate westerly winds, with frost and icy stretches developing.

New Year’s Day should see cloud and any patchy light rain clear southwards through the morning, leaving a largely dry day with good sunny spells, with highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, high pressure is likely to continue to dominate, bringing plenty of dry weather overall, though there will be some light rain or showers at times.

Thursday night should be initially dry with clear spells, but outbreaks of rain and drizzle will likely move into the north early on and gradually sink southwards, becoming patchier and easing towards morning.

Further clear spells and scattered wintry showers will follow from the north. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

The weekend is likely to turn colder, with sharp to severe frosts developing and some wintry showers mainly affecting the north and northwest.

Friday should see a day of good sunny spells, with some showers of sleet and snow possible, mainly in the north.

Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds, fresher near coasts.

Friday night will continue mostly dry and clear with some wintry showers, again mainly affecting the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

Saturday and Sunday will be very cold and mostly dry with wintry showers. Highest daytime temperatures of just 2 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

Lowest night-time temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with sharp frosts and ice developing.

It will remain cold into early next week, with plenty of dry weather, though there will be wintry showers or outbreaks of rain at times.