Fog warning issued for the entire country

A status orange fog warning has been issued for the entire country by Met Eireann and it is set to remain in place until midnight tonight.

Issued yesterday (Sunday, December 17), the warning came into effect at midnight last night.

Dense fog may linger in some parts of the country through much of today (Monday), giving rise to poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions.

The fog is set to be worst in central parts of the country, as well as around rivers and lakes. Otherwise it is expected to be bright and mainly dry, with sunny spells developing.

But dull, misty and drizzly weather is forecast to push into western and southwestern coasts later in the day. Temperatures may range from 5º to 8º generally, but values could be higher along Atlantic coasts and lower in areas where fog persists.

Meanwhile, it is set to be mild and misty overnight, with fog likely once again. A good deal of dry weather is expected, but there will be a risk of some scattered patches of drizzle also.

It will be cool at first, but temperatures will rise steadily overnight – with values of 9º to 12º by dawn in light to moderate southerly breezes, according to Met Eireann.

Presently, most soils are at field capacity or saturated – while drying conditions will be moderate at best over the coming days.

Tomorrow

It will be mainly dry tomorrow, Tuesday, but it is expected to be dull to start. Cloud is set to thin out during the afternoon to give brighter spells for a time, but there’ll be a little light rain by evening in the west.

Temperatures are forecast to range between 10º and 12º – in moderate southerly winds, freshening in the north-west later in the day.

Mild and misty conditions are likely overnight, with light and patchy rain and fog. There is a possibility of drier, cooler, clearer weather developing over Ulster and north Connacht by dawn, dropping temperatures there to lows of 5º to 7º.

Temperatures elsewhere will remain mild, not falling below around 10°. Winds will be mainly light to moderate south to south-west in direction.

Wednesday

Bright or short sunny spells are forecast over Ulster and north Connacht on Wednesday, with highest temperatures there of 7º to 9º.

However, misty and mostly cloudy conditions are likely elsewhere – with occasional drizzle and fog. Temperatures are expected of between 10º and 12º.

A touch of frost is possible for a time on Wednesday night in northern areas, but this will clear as the mild and mostly cloudy conditions elsewhere extend to northern parts also.

Outlook

There is the chance of a spell of rain on Thursday across the southern half of the country, but amounts still look likely to be small and it will become mainly dry again later in the day, Met Eireann added.

It is set to be cold and frosty on Thursday night in the north of the country, but it may remain mild in the south. A risk of fog will be most prevalent in the north of the country.

Early indications suggest that conditions will remain mild up until Christmas Eve, when temperatures are currently looking like they will fall to give way to a cold and frosty Christmas Day.