Possibility of ‘around 5cm of snow’ as temperatures set to fall below zero
The MET Office have said that there will be a possibility of “around 5cm of snow” in some parts of Northern Ireland over the next few days as temperatures are set to fall below zero.
While it is expected to remain dry for the rest of the week, those heading out to celebrate New Year’s Eve may expect to have to bring an extra layer of warmth with them.
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.
For Northern Ireland, wintry showers are possible from New Year’s Day onwards, with a possibility of around 5 cm of snow accumulating from Thursday to Saturday for some parts, most likely occurring over the Antrim Mountains.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) is expected to remain dry with patchy cloudy and sunny spells, with a high of six degrees, with Wednesday similar with a high of four. However, as the week goes on it is expected to get colder, with there being a chance of snow showers and ice on Friday and over the weekend.
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.”
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