ALERT: Waterford named in Met Éireann snow warning as Storm Goretti hits Ireland

Four counties, including Waterford, have been hit with fresh snow warnings from Met Éireann with Storm Goretti expected to impact the southern half of the country on Thursday.

Met Éireann issued an update on Wednesday and named four counties in a Status Yellow snow-ice warning, coming into effect from noon on Thursday.

The warning covers Waterford, Wexford, Cork and Kerry and warns that as a result of Storm Goretti, "rain, heavy at times, will turn to sleet and snow in places on Thursday afternoon, particularly at elevation."

It adds that "accumulations are possible" and lists potential impacts as "hazardous travelling conditions; spot flooding; poor visibility and icy patches" on roads.

The warning is valid from 12 noon on Thursday until 8pm on Thursday.

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In its wider forecast, Met Éireann says "rain and drizzle will gradually clear northeastwards early [on Wednesday night] and it will be mostly dry for a time with just a few showers affecting mainly Atlantic coastal counties. Towards morning, rain and drizzle will move in over parts of the south and southwest. Some mist and fog patches are possible too. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees, coldest in the northeast where a slight frost is possible. Light to moderate westerly winds, strong and gusty near northwestern coasts at first, will ease light variable towards morning.

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"Thickening cloud along with outbreaks of rain and drizzle will continue to push up over much of the country from the south and southwest on Thursday morning, though parts Ulster will remain largely dry with just a few showers near the west coast. The rain will turn heavy at times near the south coast, potentially turning to sleet and snow over parts of Munster and south Leinster in the afternoon, before clearing eastwards through the late afternoon and evening. Afternoon highs of 2 to 5 degrees with light variable winds becoming light to moderate northerly in the afternoon, fresh to strong and gusty near the south coast," the forecast adds.

The general overview for the next few days says it will be "less cold than as of late, but still chilly at times with unsettled conditions bringing showers and further outbreaks of rain, possibly turning wintry with hail and sleet."

"Dry and clear for most with outbreaks of rain and drizzle along eastern fringes at first [Thursday night]. Overnight scattered showers will feed in from the west, affecting parts of Munster and Connacht, with isolated showers further north. showers affecting parts of the west overnight, with a chance of hail. Frost in places with lowest temperatures of -2 to 2 degrees, with light to moderate westerly winds.

"Plenty of dry and bright weather for many on Friday. However, showers will feed into Atlantic counties, with some of these wintry in nature. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees, with light to moderate west to northwest winds, fresher in Atlantic coastal areas."

The weekend looks to remain unsettled with rain interrupting some dry spells. Temperatures will remain between 2 and 8 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.