TRENDS for the week of 25 to 31 Jan 2021 --
-- Temperatures will average 1-2 deg above normal, but the first and possibly also the last two days of the interval will be quite cold, mildest around Wednesday.
-- Rainfalls will average near normal, most of the rain will occur around mid-week.
-- Sunshine will average 50 to 75 per cent of normal.
FORECASTS
TODAY will start out bitterly cold with local freezing fog, widespread ice and partly refrozen snow making for some very slippery conditions, caution advised. Some hazy or misty sunshine at times later, with a very slow warming trend but eventually most places will see temperatures in the 3 to 7 C range. A few sleety showers will move slowly into parts of west Ulster and Connacht.
TONIGHT will be overcast with light rain at times, spreading in from the west, not making it to the east coast until after daybreak. Lows 2 to 6 C.
TUESDAY will see intervals of rain, 10-15 mm likely, with widespread fog developing. Although milder for most, it may remain quite chilly in parts of Ulster. Highs generally 8-10 C but only 3-5 C in Ulster.
WEDNESDAY will bring further intervals of rain, with temperatures steady near 10 C. About 10-20 mm rain can be expected. There is a slight chance of this mixing with sleet in parts of Ulster and north Leinster.
THURSDAY will become windy especially near the south coast, with outbreaks of rain turning to sleet over some parts of the north. Lows near 4 C and highs 7-9 C.
FRIDAY will begin to turn somewhat colder with occasional light rain or drizzle, winds becoming northerly and temperatures slowly falling towards 4 C by late in the day.
SATURDAY is expected to be rather cold and there is some risk of sleet or wet snow developing, with low pressure passing to the south. Temperatures only around 2 to 5 C.
SUNDAY may turn somewhat milder again with rain, highs near 8 C.
The pattern signalled by most guidance after the end of January into early February is rather cold with the risk of mixed wintry precipitation, although very mild air may not be far away from the south and could push in at times, but the same could be said for cold air near the northern counties. Whether or not any active "battleground" lows or frontal systems develop is not clearly indicated at this time range, but it would not be too surprising given the close proximity of these different air masses.
Peter O'Donnell for IWO
Main photo: Chris Bolton photographed this railway viaduct in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow following snowfall on Saturday night.