Snow Ice Warning for Ireland 29 Jan to 03 Feb 2019 *See Mod Note in OP *

WEATHER WATCH - RISK OF SNOW - THURSDAY WILL BE A NOWCAST: The two charts attached are from the highly respected ECMWF computer model which are used by both the Irish and UK Met Office. The ECMWF is used amongst other models by forecasters, coupled with their experience to produce a weather forecast.
Out of all the forecast models, the ECMWF is "out on it's own" in predicting widespread, substantial snowfall. The American GFS supports widespread snowfall, but not as substantial. Other models such as the Pan-European HIRLAM predict snowfall for hills and mountains, with some isolated lowland areas away from the coasts getting a few centimetres worth. Meanwhile, the British UKMO are predicting alternating waves of sleet and snow across the region tomorrow.
Taking all the above on board it really is impossible to say with any great confidence how tomorrow's weather front will behave. We attach the two images to show the *worst* possible outcome with regards to disruption. So, it would be wise to advise people to keep close attention to weather updates from early morning as reports begin to come in about how the weather front is behaving in its trek up from the southwest - hence "NowCast"
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY: Bitterly cold to begin with temperatures hovering between -4c and -1c, with a light southeast breeze. Clouding over rapidly. Rain and sleet arriving by mid-morning at the latest and continuing to get heavier through lunchtime, becoming more sleet and wet snow at lower levels, heavy settling snow above 250m. Highest temperatures of 1c to 3c at this stage in fresh east winds. Before darkfall, temperatures will drop and winds will shift to the northeast, remaining fresh. Precipitation will turn more to snow at lower levels and begin to settle. Snow continuing past darkfall before clearing later. Temperatures dropping back below 0c. ***This forecast is likely to be revised***
[Apologies that we cannot be more precise, this really is a very difficult situation to forecast]

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The above went out on https://www.facebook.com/LaoisWeather/

It's probably the best way of summarising the current situation.

Meanwhile, it's gone to -4.3c here on the AWS, screen probably nudging below -4.5c at this stage.

Hard to believe that in December 2010, this would have been a rather "mild" night!