Snow is expected across parts of Northern Ireland later this week
As we say goodbye to 2025 and look ahead to 2026, it looks like the new year will get off to a cold and frosty start in Northern Ireland.
The Met Office this week said there will be a possibility of “around 5cm of snow” in some parts of Northern Ireland over the next few days as temperatures drop below zero.
The new year is set to bring arctic air and strong northerly winds to the UK at the end of the week, resulting in cold or very cold conditions with a transition to more unsettled conditions.
READ MORE: Northern Ireland snow latest as Met Office forecast up to 5cm in placesREAD MORE: Ireland weather: Temperatures to plunge to -3C as revellers brace for bitterly cold end to 2025
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway said: “It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of ‘winter’ as we welcome in the New Year, initially in the north, but more widely across the UK for the first week of 2026.
“Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, and it will feel especially cold in the strong winds. Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many.
“These colder conditions and wintry hazards – snow, ice and strong winds – will develop more widely as we enter the New Year, with more warnings for snow and ice likely. It looks like this cold spell will last through at least the first week of January, so it’s important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.”
Here is what you can expect from the weather in Northern Ireland for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:
Wednesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
After a bright and frosty start much of the day will stay dry with sunny spells. Cloud will spread south during the afternoon with showers in the north towards evening. Maximum temperature 5 C, minimum temperature 3 C.
Thursday, January 1 (New Year’s Day)
Breezy on New Year’s Day with areas of cloud moving in from the north. Along with the cloud there will be showers, falling in form of sleet or snow at times. Wintry showers more likely in the evening. Maximum temperature 6 C, minimum temperature -1 C.
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