Thermals at the ready as sub-zero temperatures expected

We won’t be seeing any more snow this week in the midlands according to Met Eireann forecaster Eoin Sherlock, but from what he’s told the Offaly Independent this morning (Tuesday) buying thermals before Thursday would be a good idea!

“It’s going to be fairly cold over the next couple of days,” the forecaster said this morning, explaining that the reason behind this is a cold air mass that’s being pushed down from the north/north west.

Today looks likely to be dry and bright according to Mr Sherlock, but tonight will be both rainy and windy due to an area of low pressure pushing off the north coast.

Frost is unlikely tonight however, thanks to expected temperatures of two to three degrees Celsius along with rain and wind. That rain should clear by late morning or early afternoon tomorrow, giving way to a dry afternoon and evening.

Dry, bright and chilly would be a good way to sum up daytime weather from Wednesday afternoon. Maximum daytime temperatures on Wednesday are predicted at seven or eight degrees Celsius, while Thursday and Friday highs of just five or six degrees Celsius are predicted. Weather on weekend days will continue to be dry, bright and chilly, with weekend highs of six to seven degrees Celsius expected.

Nights are another matter altogether however. While tonight and Wednesday night lows of two to three degrees and zero to two degrees respectively are expected, things plummet further into the week.

Sub-zero temperatures of about minus two degrees are expected on Thursday night along with a widespread sharp to severe ground frost, while similar temperatures and frost are expected on Friday night. Saturday night temperatures of minus one to minus two degrees are expected, while Sunday night’s temperatures are expected to be slightly higher at zero to minus one degrees.

While care will no doubt be needed this week on frosty roads, motorists will no doubt be pleased to hear no precipitation to make conditions more difficult is expected for the week past tomorrow morning.