Wind, rain, ice and snow: Met Éireann issues warnings as 2023 comes to stormy end

Heavy rain, strong winds, ice and snow are forecast for the final weekend of 2023, with weather warnings in place for 17 counties.

Met Éireann has issued an alert for wind and snow-ice in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo on Saturday until 10am.

The forecaster said rain will turn to sleet or snow in places for a short time on Saturday morning, especially over higher ground. The rain, sleet and snow will be accompanied by strong and gusty winds, it said.

The UK Met Office has also warned of heavy rain for all counties in Northern Ireland on Saturday morning, which may lead to some travel disruption.

A separate status-yellow wind and rain warning has been issued for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo and Wexford on Saturday from 2am to 11pm.

Met Éireann said southwest winds would be strong and gusty at times coupled with heavy rain and thundery showers. Difficult travelling conditions are expected.

A further wind warning has been issued from 11pm on Saturday until 5pm on Sunday in Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

Heavy downpours are not expected to continue into Sunday night when many open-air concerts are due to get under way as part of New Year’s Eve celebrations.

In Dublin concerts are due to take place in Collins Barracks, Dublin Castle and Meeting House square in Temple Bar. Met Éireann said showers should be expected.

Those planning a New Year’s Day swim in the Dublin area have been reminded to consider the “48-hour rule” which advises bathers not to swim within two days of a heavy downpour, which carries a danger of run off from drains.

Met Éireann forecaster Rebecca Cantwell told The Irish Times that the worst of the rain should have passed by Sunday evening, but she did not rule out the possibility of further showers.