Ireland is heading into a much colder spell as the New Year approaches, with frost and ice becoming more common and a growing chance of wintry showers as temperatures fall.

High pressure, which has dominated since early last week, is expected to stay in place for the coming days. This will keep the weather mostly settled, although cloud will linger in most parts of the country. Frost at night is likely to become more widespread from Tuesday night.

New Year’s Eve is expected to stay fairly calm. As 2026 begins, temperatures are forecast to drop sharply as colder Arctic air moves south across Ireland.

By Thursday and Friday, showers are increasingly likely to turn wintry, particularly in northern areas, with sleet or snow possible at times. Winds will strengthen, adding to the cold and creating a sharp wind chill.

The risk of snow and ice is expected to rise into the weekend, with some local accumulations possible and hazardous travel conditions in places.

Subtle changes in wind direction will have a significant impact on where any snowfall may occur. A northeasterly airflow would increase the risk of snow in eastern and northern counties, while a more direct northerly airflow would confine the risk to the north and to coastal fringes of the northeast, northwest and southwest. The finer details of precipitation are expected to become clearer over the next 24 to 48 hours. At present, a northeasterly airflow is expected to shift to a northerly one by the weekend.

Cold or very cold weather is likely to continue into early next week. Widespread frost, icy roads and footpaths and occasional wintry showers are expected to be the main hazards, especially at night and in the early morning.

For its part, Met Éireann says conditions will be turning colder again through the first week of January. With high pressure nearby many areas will stay dry, although showers may spread from the north at times with the potential for wintry precipitation as temperatures fall further.