Met Éireann has issued a ‘moderate’ weather advisory for Donegal ahead of next week’s cold snap.
The national meteorological service says a transition to ‘significantly colder’ conditions will take place from Monday, lasting through much of the week.
The weather warning will remain in place until midnight on Saturday, November 23, with wintry hazards including frost and ice likely with potential for sleet, snow and hail for some.
Met Éireann’ s Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman, says there will be ‘hazardous ground conditions’ due to frost and ice with cold day and night-time temperatures. Road users should expect poor visibility in any wintry showers.
“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,” Ms Coleman said.
“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.”
However, there is a ‘high degree of certainty’ that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic air mass 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,” addes Ms Coleman.
“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 air mass looks set to linger over Ireland until next Friday at least, but possibly into next weekend too, although uncertainty increases after Friday (22nd).”
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