First cold snap of the season expected

Met Éireann has warned that a transition to significantly colder conditions will take place from Monday lasting through much of next week.

In a weather advisory, it is predicting wintry hazards including frost and ice as likely with the potential for sleet, snow and hail for some.

The notice is countrywide.

Met Éireann’s Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman, says: “After an unusually mild start to November, people are going to get quite a shock as the temperatures plummet next week, which is why we have issued an Advisory for Ireland.

"Details are uncertain with the exact track of a low-pressure system on Sunday night and during Monday, but at present, some heavy and persistent rain is expected in the west and north with the possibility of some sleet and snow over parts of Ulster on Monday. Met Éireann will be monitoring this situation closely over the weekend.”

Liz continues: “However, there is a high degree of certainty that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic airmass sinks over the country from the north. Daytime temperatures will often range around 2 to 6 degrees with night-time temperatures widely falling below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice. The northerly airflow will also bring showers of sleet and snow, these most frequent over the northern half of the country but there is potential for some showers to reach further south. These conditions will bring some hazardous travelling conditions, travel disruptions and poor visibility.”

The extent of the wintry showers in terms of snow is still unclear, but we will have more information as Met Éireann’ s high resolution model comes into play, which provides forecast information two days ahead.”

The cold northerly airmass looks set to linger over Ireland until next Friday at least, but possibly into next weekend too, although uncertainty increases after Friday (22nd).