Ireland snow warning as Met Eireann says 'there are two scenarios' - and one means winter havoc

Ireland is preparing for a dramatic weather shift as Arctic air sweeps in over the weekend, bringing subzero temperatures, snow and potential disruption. While there is some uncertainty in the details, Met Eireann has outlined two possible scenarios

By: irishmirror.ie

Nov 14 2024
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Ireland snow warning as Met Ei

Ireland is bracing for a dramatic shift in weather as we head into the weekend, with a freezing blast of Arctic air set to engulf the country. The change in conditions will bring subzero temperatures, snow and potentially some disruption.

Ahead of this incoming weather event, Met Eireann today issued a detailed update on the wintry conditions expected. It has stated that temperatures will drop significantly over the weekend, bringing much colder conditions into next week. Along with the cold, a wave of wintry precipitation, including sleet and snow, is expected to follow.

By Tuesday, the national forecaster has confirmed that a cold Arctic airmass will firmly settle over Ireland, bringing widespread showers of sleet and snow, particularly across the north and parts of the west. However, the weather for Sunday and Monday remains uncertain, with two possible scenarios being outlined

In the first possible scenario, the Arctic airmass will bring a mix of sunshine and showers, some of which may include hail, sleet or even snow. These showers will be most widespread in the northern and western parts of the country. While this scenario could bring some disruption, it would likely be less severe.

The second scenario, however, is more concerning. A developing low-pressure system could sweep across Ireland, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and potentially sleet and snow. Met Eireann said this scenario poses a greater risk of "disruption", with hazardous conditions expected, especially in the west and north.

The meteorological agency explained: "Uncertainty increases on Sunday night. The rain may clear southwards from all areas, with colder air starting to become established right across the country, and with showers moving into the north and west, some of sleet in the north. However there is also the chance of rain and milder conditions persisting further south.

"There's a high degree of uncertainty in the forecast at this stage, for Monday and Monday night. There's a couple of potential scenarios, each bringing the likelihood of some wintry precipitation. One scenario has the cold arctic airmass across Ireland with sunshine and showers, some of those of hail and sleet and possibly snow, the showers most widespread in the north and west. Another scenario, which could bring more disruptive weather, is where a developing area of low pressure moves in over Ireland bringing some heavy rain and strong winds along with some falls of sleet and snow."

From Tuesday onwards, the forecast becomes more certain. Looking ahead to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, it said: "Certainty returns to the forecast from Tuesday. An unstable arctic airmass will be established right across the country. While there'll be sunshine, there'll be showers too, some of the of hail and sleet and some of snow too. The sleet and snow showers will be most widespread across the north and parts of the west. Highest afternoon temperatures of just 2C to 7C and feeling very cold with the added wind chill from moderate to fresh and gusty northwest winds, stronger in some coastal parts at times. Temperatures by night will drop to between -3C and 2C, maybe colder locally, with some frost and icy conditions."

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