Cold snap set to continue for week ahead as expert gives update on snowy December

December has well and truly begun and while some of us across Ireland may be hoping for a white Christmas, or at least a slight flurry, the next 10 days are going to be a bitter disappointment.

As low pressure will continue to dominate this week bringing unsettled weather, conditions will be mixed, with showers, persistent spells of rain, a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms are expected with some sunny spells forecast.

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On Monday, Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly said,

"First day of winter today and it’s a mild start with no sign of any real significant cold or snow for at least next 10 days. This day 2010 was very different with deep snow in Tullow as my photos show."

Conveyor belt of low systems continues over next 10 days. Wind gust forecast shown here, thankfully at present the strongest gusts largely stay away from Ireland. pic.twitter.com/d5hxViRpcW

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 1, 2025

Today

Bright and breezy today with scattered showers and plenty of sunny spells. The showers will mainly affect Connacht and Munster, turning heavy at times with a chance of hail and thunder. The best of the sunny spells will be in the east. Feeling chilly today too, with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees in moderate southwest winds, fresher near coasts.

Tonight will see a mix of cloudy conditions and clear spells, with scattered showers or longer spells of rain. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees, mildest in Atlantic coastal counties, with light to moderate southwesterly winds.

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Wednesday 

Wednesday will start off dry for most, with isolated showers with sunny spells further east at first. Early on, cloud will build from the west and spread eastwards with rain and drizzle becoming widespread come the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees with light to moderate southwesterly winds, freshening later in the day.

Rain from the southwest will gradually move northeast towards morning. Showers will follow in behind, some turning heavy at times, with the chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in moderate southwesterly winds.

Thursday

A bright day for most with rain and drizzle lingering in the morning over parts of Connacht. It will be a mostly dry day too with just isolated showers, heavy at times with the chance of hail. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in light to moderate west to southwest winds.

Staying dry and clear for most on Thursday night, with scattered showers lingering over parts of the north and west. Lowest temperatures of -1 to 4 degrees. Mostly light or variable southerly winds.

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Friday

A wet and windy day with rain from the southwest spreading northeastwards across the country throughout the day. Scattered showers will follow in behind overnight, some heavy at times, with a brief dry spell early on for parts of the east. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in the north, and 8 to 12 degrees elsewhere. Moderate southeasterly winds will increase fresh to strong with the arrival of the rain.

Saturday

Cloudy with widespread showers, becoming mores isolated towards the evening with clearer spells developing overnight for most. Highest temperatures of 8 to11 degrees. Moderate southwesterly winds, strong to gale force strength along western and southern coasts.

Sunday

A mostly dry start with a few isolated showers. Rain from the southwest will move in through the day and slowly clear northwards through the late evening. Highest temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees, coolest in the north, in light to moderate south to southeast winds.