Met eireann issues alert over stormy conditions

 

Parts of Westmeath resembled a winter wonderland today (Tuesday), as the country experienced its first notable snowfall of the season. 

Up to the time of writing, Athlone had escaped the worst of the snowfall, but it's been heavier in Mullingar and other areas in the north of the county.

The conditions are not going to improve any time soon, with Met Eireann issuing a 'yellow’ weather warning over high winds expected in Westmeath and Roscommon between Wednesday afternoon and the same period on Thursday. 

Southerly winds averaging 50 to 65 km/h, with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h, are set to develop in the two counties this afternoon and continue through the night before easing off on Thursday morning.

The winds will be even more severe and stormy along the western coastline, while some heavy rainfall is expected on Wednesday afternoon and evening also.

The outlook for the rest of the week is for cold and bright days with wintry showers. The temperatures on a cold, bright and blustery Thursday are not expected to rise above five degrees celsius.

Some frost and icy patches will develop over the course of Thursday night, while Friday and Saturday will be cold, bright days with sunny spells and scattered showers of rain, hail and sleet. Some snow flurries are also expected, mainly on higher ground.​