Will it snow in Ireland? Forecasters in grim update for 'even colder' weather

Ireland's cold weather blast looks like lasting into next week and becoming even colder with snow, according to forecasters.

A number of cold weather warnings from Met Éireann have now lapsed but it looks likely that their cold weather advisory for the entire country will be extended again.

The current advisory is valid until 9am on Saturday morning, January 13, but with more cold weather on the way, that would be extended into next week.

The advisory says our weather is "staying cold with widespread frost and icy patches, leading to hazardous travelling conditions."

In their general outlook, Met Éireann says it is going to remain "very cold for the short to medium outlook. Overall dry with light breezes, but with frost, ice and some fog in places."

In his latest forecast for next week, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says weather models are signalling "widespread snow" in Ireland.

"Now, before the hype reaches stratospheric levels, pardon the meteorological pun… but it’s important to emphasis that when speaking about complex weather events over a week away it’s essential to understand that at present I’m only discussing the risks of what 'could' occur and not to take the details as a literal forecast," he explained.

"Current forecast models continue to point towards a much colder airflow of Arctic origins developing through Sunday and persisting for much of next week. However, a more recent development has been the possible risk of some heavy snow for some, either from snow showers initially in the north, to frontal snow arriving from the south," he added.

"We know high pressure will act as a block to the northwest of Ireland with this high fixed across Greenland. We also know low pressure will be fixed across Scandinavia, feeding down a mixture of sunny spells and scattered snow showers. But what we don’t know is how far north or how deep certain low pressures to our south will evolve.

"At present, there’s a risk that some such low pressures could deepen and bring periods of heavy snow across the southern half of the country, with heavy snow showers streaming off the Irish Sea to the north. This of course would be similar, though the weather pattern that brought the heavy snow associated with Storm Emma, and historically, similar to snowfall events in 1947, 1963 and 1982," he concluded.

Weather Alerts Ireland also foresee the "chance of some decent snow events next week" but tempered that by saying, "time will tell."

Meanwhile, Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather is also watching weather models and shared an updated with followers on Wednesday.

"The latest ECMWF ensembles show very good agreement on colder air returning Sunday into Monday and large support for cold to last next week but still some milder options that can’t be fully ruled out. Many members stay dry but a few bring rain/snow. Interesting times ahead."

He also said: "Latest ECM weather model continues theme of colder air next week and risk of some snow as milder air and rain push up against the cold. Forecasting snow beyond 24 hours in Ireland is difficult but ten days out it’s impossible so bear that in mind if you see any snow dept charts."

Between now and next week, Met Éireann says things will stay cold.

They say Wednesday night will remain "dry across most areas but with increasing cloud feeding in a few light showers across the East. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees generally, in light to moderate northeast breezes. A slight frost will set in where skies remain clearest. Some mist and fog in places, mainly across the Southwest.

"Thursday will be cold and cloudy, with the chance of stray light showers across eastern counties. Overall dry though with the best of any sunshine across the West. Some mist and fog persisting across parts of the Southwest. Highest temperature of 4 to 8 degrees in just light northeast breezes.

"Dry and calm with a mix of cloud and clear spells [Thursday night]. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +3 degrees, coldest across Ulster and some western counties, with a slight to sharp frost expected."

Looking at Friday, Met Éireann says that "while it will be dry and calm, overall dull with limited bright or sunny spells. Cold too with highest temperatures ranging from just 2 degrees in the North to 7 degrees in the Southeast.

"Dry and calm with variable cloud cover [Friday night]. Lowest temperatures of -4 to +2 degrees, coldest where clear skies develop, allowing for a slight to sharp frost to set in.

"Saturday will be dry for the main with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. The odd spot of drizzle may affect southern fringes and later across northern fringes. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with light variable breezes. A slight to severe frost is expected after-dark.

"A mix of cloud and sunny spells once again with patchy outbreaks of rain sinking down from the North too [on Sunday]. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with light to moderate northwest winds."