Several Irish counties hit with weather warning over snowstorm

The snowstorm has already been named.

The French meteorological service, Météo France, named the storm earlier this week, and now Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow warning, which impacts Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford.

Valid from 12pm to 8pm on Thursday (8 January), the alert reads: “Storm Goretti: Rain, heavy at times, will turn to sleet and snow in places on Thursday afternoon, particularly at elevation.

“Accumulations are possible. Potential Impacts: Hazardous travelling conditions, spot flooding, poor visibility, icy patches.”

It comes as a Yellow ice warning from the UK Met Office is currently in effect for the entirety of Northern Ireland.

The alert is scheduled to remain in place until 11am on Wednesday.

⚠️Status Yellow Snow & Rain warning Issued for Cork, Kerry, Waterford & Wexford.❄️🌧️

⏲️Valid: Thurs 8th Jan 12:00 until 20:00

Potential Impacts:
➡️Hazardous travelling conditions
➡️Spot flooding
➡️Poor visibility
➡️Icy patches

ℹ️ https://t.co/GYji548dA1 pic.twitter.com/K0M5YMYLp4

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 7, 2026

Met Éireann’s national forecast for Thursday, meanwhile, states:

“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 of 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.”

As for the rest of the week, Met Éireann adds in its national outlook: “Less cold than of late, but still chilly at times with unsettled conditions bringing showers and further outbreaks of rain, possibly turning wintry with hail and sleet.”