School closures in Waterford possible as 'significant' snow forecast for weekend

School closures on Monday are possible as "severe frost" and snowfall are likely over the weekend and into next week.

“There are likely to be accumulations of snow in places on Monday morning coupled with a very severe frost as well. So there is the possibility that schools may not open," said Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy, noting that further insight into possible school closures will "become more apparent as we go through the weekend”.

The meteorologist warned that sleet and snow are expected on Sunday, with Munster forecast to have low temperatures, he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. Met Éireann forecast that Munster will see sleet and snow at times on Sunday, particularly over higher ground. The highest temperatures expected are just 1 to 6 degrees.

Mr Murphy said: “You won’t fully know the answer to that until really over the weekend because it will depend on the accumulations of snow.”

Widespread sleet or snow is likely this weekend, said Met Éireann meteorologist Brandon Creagh to The Irish Times, due to a low-pressure system moving up from the southwest of the country interacting with cold Arctic air masses.

“At the moment, it’s looking like there could be some significant accumulations in some counties,” Mr Creagh said.

Temperatures could drop as far -3 degrees on Friday night, dropping further to -5 degrees on Sunday night. The lowest temperatures, however, are likely to come next week. Lowest temperatures are expected on Tuesday night when temperatures could drop to lows of -10 degrees.

The national forecaster has issued a weather advisory noting that sleet and snow may hit parts of Ireland this weekend.

"A spell of rain will spread northwards over Ireland during the course of Saturday, turning to sleet and snow in some areas," the advisory said, "rain, sleet and snow will continue for a time on Sunday before clearing eastwards into the Irish Sea."

These weather conditions may lead to significant accumulations of snow in some counties.

A yellow weather warning for low temperatures is currently in place for Waterford by Met Éireann with very cold weather with widespread frost and ice expected to hit Waterford until 11am today, Friday January 3.

The cold snap could cause hazardous travelling conditions so road users are being advised to be careful while on the roads in the Déise. The weather warning is in place across the entire country, so care is also advised when travelling out of the county.