You’ve probably noticed that "grand" stretch in the evenings starting to show its face, but don't go packing away the heavy woollens just yet. While we’ve had a bit of a breather from the freezing temperatures that kicked off 2026, the latest maps from Met Éireann are starting to look a little bit suspicious for the final week of January. Honestly, the weather in this country has a habit of lulling you into a false sense of security before throwing a freezing curveball right at your windscreen.
Right now, we are sitting in a bit of a "wait and see" window.
Met Éireann hasn’t pulled the trigger on a nationwide ireland cold snap weather warning for today, Friday, January 16, but the signals for the end of the month are getting louder. Forecasters are currently tracking what they call a "mobile Atlantic regime." Basically, that’s fancy meteorologist speak for a tug-of-war between the relatively mild air from the ocean and a much nastier, colder airflow trying to push in from the east.
The Return of the Beast? What the Charts are Saying
If you spend any time on "Weather Twitter" (or X, if we’re being technical), you’ve likely seen the charts shared by Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather. Some of the long-range GFS models have been spitting out images that look suspiciously like a "Beast from the East" sequel around January 28.
But here’s the thing: those long-range models are often outliers.
It’s easy to get spooked by a purple map showing 10cm of snow over the Wicklow Mountains, but the experts are urging a bit of calm. While there is definitely a "signal" for a cold plunge, the different models aren't exactly shaking hands on the details yet. Met Éireann’s latest monthly outlook does admit that a "cool or cold easterly airflow is likely to dominate" from January 26 through to the start of February.
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That means temperatures are likely to dip below the usual January average. When that happens, any rain that shows up has a much higher chance of turning into "wintry precipitation."
Sleet. Snow. Slush.
Whatever you want to call it, it usually means a nightmare on the M50.
What to Expect This Weekend
We don't have to wait until the end of the month for things to get chilly, though. Tonight is looking pretty crisp. We’re talking about lows of -1 to +3 degrees Celsius. If you're heading out in the morning, watch out for widespread fog and patchy ice, especially on those untreated back roads that never seem to see a gritter.
The "Green" status on the warning map today doesn't mean you won't be scraping your car at 8:00 AM.
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Current Warnings in Place (As of Jan 16)
- Marine Alerts: There’s a Status Yellow Gale Warning for several coastal areas, with south to southeast winds hitting force 6 or higher.
- Fog Risks: Widespread fog is expected Saturday morning, which can be just as dangerous as ice if you're driving through the Midlands.
- The "Goretti" Hangover: We’re still feeling the knock-on effects of Storm Goretti from earlier this month, which left councils like Waterford on high alert for road safety.
Why an Ireland Cold Snap Weather Warning Actually Matters
It’s easy to joke about how the country grinds to a halt after two flakes of snow, but the risks are real. During the first week of January 2026, we saw over 180 schools close in Northern Ireland and dozens of flights grounded at Dublin Airport because of freezing fog and de-icing delays.
When the Met Office or Met Éireann issues a yellow or amber alert, it’s not just a suggestion to wear a hat. It’s a signal that infrastructure is about to get stressed. Ground crews at Dublin Airport have already spent most of this month on "full winter-disruption mode," stockpiling glycol for de-icing wings and trying to keep the runways clear.
If the "Beast" does decide to show up on the 28th, we could be looking at a repeat of those scenes.
How to Not Get Caught Out
Look, we’ve all been there—standing at the front door realizing the de-icer is empty and you're already ten minutes late for work. If the forecasts for late January hold true, you've got about a week to get your act together.
Check your tires. It sounds like something your dad would nag you about, but the RSA isn't joking when they say winter conditions are three times tougher to navigate. If your tread is low, you’re basically driving on ice skates.
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The "Penguin Walk" is real. If we get a proper freeze, the HSE actually recommends walking like a penguin—small steps, feet pointed slightly out, keeping your center of gravity over your front leg. It looks ridiculous, but it beats a trip to A&E with a broken wrist.
Don't trust the 4x4. There’s always one person in a massive SUV who thinks they’re invincible. Newsflash: four-wheel drive helps you go, but it doesn't help you stop on black ice.
Watch the pipes. If the temperature stays below zero for a few days, Uisce Éireann usually sees a spike in burst pipes. Know where your stopcock is. It’s usually under the kitchen sink or out by the front gate. If a pipe bursts, you’ll want to find that handle fast.
Looking Ahead: The Actionable Bits
We are currently in a period of "high uncertainty," but the trend is definitely pointing toward a colder finish to the month. You don't need to go out and buy 40 loaves of bread just yet, but keeping an eye on the Met Éireann app over the next few days is a smart move.
- Download the App: Set up push notifications for your specific county so you aren't relying on second-hand rumors.
- Charge the Power Banks: If the "mobile Atlantic regime" turns into a full-blown storm with ice, power outages aren't off the table.
- Check on Neighbours: If you have elderly neighbors, a quick "Are you alright for milk?" goes a long way when the footpaths turn into ice rinks.
The weather might be unsettled, but being prepared sort of takes the sting out of it. We’ll know a lot more about the potential for snow by the middle of next week. For now, just keep the big coat handy and maybe throw a shovel in the boot of the car—just in case.