Wintry weather in the Wicklow Gap in 2021.RollingNews.ie

Ireland is preparing to feel the effects as Storm Goretti hits Europe.

A Status Yellow snow and rain warning is valid for Cos Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford from 12 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, January 8.

Met Éireann said on Wednesday that due to 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 include hazardous travelling conditions, spot flooding, poor visibility, and icy patches.

Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has issued a Status Yellow ice warning for all of Northern Ireland from midnight until 10 am on Thursday.

"Ice will readily form on untreated surfaces tonight bringing a risk of some disruption," the Met Office said in its warning issued on Wednesday.

"After a band of rain clears through on Wednesday evening, clearing skies will allow temperatures to fall rapidly, bringing an ice risk overnight, especially on untreated surfaces," the UK Met Office said.

"A few showers will also persist across counties Antrim, Derry, Tyron,e and Fermanagh, adding to the ice risk in these areas with rain falling on frozen ground."

Storm Goretti, named by French forecaster Meteo France, is the first named storm of the 2026 season.

Belfast-based BBC Senior Weather Presenter Barra Best predicts that travel will be impacted on Thursday due to the weather.