As winter 2026 marches on, an Arctic airmass has swept across Ireland and the United Kingdom, bringing with it a dramatic shift in weather: plunging temperatures, widespread frost, and, for many, the first significant snowfall of the season. From Cork to Aberdeen, and from Dublin to North Wales, weather services have issued a flurry of warnings, urging residents to brace for hazardous conditions on the roads and underfoot. For some, the sudden cold snap is a jarring return to winter after weeks of relentless rain and gloom, while for others, it’s the first glimpse of sun or snow in what feels like an eternity.
According to Met Éireann, a fresh rain and wind warning was put in place for parts of Ireland, specifically Dublin and Wicklow, beginning in the early hours of Friday, February 13, 2026. The warning, issued shortly after 2:30 am, was set to last until midday, with the national forecaster cautioning that heavy rain could lead to flooding and difficult travel. But the bigger story was the arrival of an Arctic airmass, which promised to bring snow and a significant drop in temperatures nationwide.
By Friday night, the entire Republic of Ireland was under a low temperature and ice warning, effective from 9 pm and lasting until 10 am on Saturday, February 14. Met Éireann warned that temperatures could fall between -1°C and -3°C, with widespread frost and icy patches expected. The impacts, officials noted, could be serious: hazardous driving conditions, treacherous footpaths, and potential travel disruption. The forecast for Friday called for a cold start with frost and ice, dry and sunny conditions in the north and west, but lingering cloud and rain in the south. As the day progressed, rain was expected to clear southeastward, with isolated showers and afternoon highs between 3°C and 7°C.
Cork and Munster residents woke up to a wintry mix of sleet and snow on Friday morning, as reported by Cork Beo. North Cork, in particular, saw a dusting of snow after a bitterly cold night. The forecast for the region was volatile: after the morning’s precipitation cleared, the rest of the day would be mainly dry and sunny, but temperatures were expected to plunge to -4°C overnight. Met Éireann’s nationwide warning highlighted the risk of hazardous road and underfoot conditions, and more snow was possible on Saturday night as freezing temperatures persisted. The coming days, forecasters said, could bring everything from sleet and hail to thunderstorms and even a brief return to double-digit temperatures before yet another cold snap.
Saturday, Valentine’s Day, was projected to be cold, dry, and bright across Ireland, with widespread frost and icy patches lingering into the morning. However, cloud was expected to thicken from the west, with rain spreading northeastward in the afternoon and evening. In Connacht and Ulster, this precipitation could fall as sleet or wet snow, with highs only reaching 2°C to 5°C. Saturday night was forecast to be wet and windy, with spells of heavy rain and some sleet or snow in the north and east. Clear spells and scattered showers would follow from the west, with overnight lows between 0°C and 5°C.
The United Kingdom was not spared from the Arctic blast. As reported by BBC, Friday marked a notable drop in temperatures, bringing the first widespread frost of February after weeks of record-breaking damp and dismal weather. This shift followed what meteorologists described as a “blocked” weather pattern that had kept the UK under persistent cloud and rain. On Friday, the UK’s Health Security Agency responded by issuing yellow health alerts for northern England and the Midlands, warning that the cold weather could have "minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services and a greater risk to life of vulnerable people." These alerts would remain in effect until 8 am on Monday, February 16.
Saturday was expected to start cold and frosty throughout the UK, but there was a silver lining: sunshine was forecast for much of the country, making it the driest day in recent memory. However, the Met Office warned that weather warnings would become more numerous as the Arctic air pushed further south. Temperatures were predicted to stay below average over the weekend, only returning to more typical February levels by Tuesday, February 18.
Residents of Aberdeen finally saw a break in their record-breaking cloud cover on Thursday, February 12, with the sun making a brief but welcome appearance for just over 30 minutes between 3 pm and 4 pm. It was a sign that the gloom was lifting, with Friday bringing more widespread sunshine across the city and beyond.
Despite the sunny intervals, flood warnings remained a major concern across England. The Environment Agency reported that more than 70 flood warnings were still in place, with ongoing impacts from groundwater and river flooding expected in regions such as Somerset, Wiltshire, York, and parts of the Midlands. The risk of property flooding and travel disruption persisted, with local surface water and river flooding impacts possible on Friday and Sunday.
In Northern Ireland, the Met Office issued an ice warning for Antrim, Down, Londonderry, and Tyrone from 8 pm GMT on Friday until 10 am on Saturday. Subzero temperatures were forecast widely, with overnight lows around -4°C inland and possibly even lower in some rural areas. Wintry showers were expected to fall onto frozen ground, creating icy conditions in untreated areas and a dusting of snow on higher ground above 200 meters. The Republic of Ireland faced similar warnings, with frost and icy patches expected as temperatures dropped several degrees below freezing.
Motorists in North Wales faced their own set of challenges. On Friday morning, February 13, snow was falling in higher parts of the region, prompting Traffic Wales to warn of poor driving conditions on the A55 between Rhuallt Hill and Flint/Mold. The Weather Channel’s radar indicated a moderate chance of snow and ice, and drivers were urged to reduce their speed and keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead.
Looking ahead, the unsettled weather is set to continue into next week across Ireland and the UK. Met Éireann warned that rain could turn wintry at times, with further cold snaps, spot flooding, and the possibility of sleet and snow—especially on higher ground. Sunday’s forecast for Ireland included sunny spells and showers, some heavy with a chance of hail and perhaps an isolated thunderstorm in coastal areas. Temperatures were expected to climb back up to 11°C in some places before dipping again early in the following week. Monday and Tuesday would likely bring more rain, occasional hail, and the ongoing risk of flooding as another Atlantic system moved in.
This spell of Arctic weather has served as a reminder of the unpredictability of winter in these islands. While some may welcome the sun after weeks of gloom or the novelty of snow in February, for many, the hazards are real and immediate. Authorities continue to urge caution, especially on the roads, as the region weathers yet another bout of winter’s wild side.