Weather expert slams media outlets as he issues real update on snow for Ireland

One weather expert has slated a number of national media outlets for reporting Ireland will get 5cm of snow in the next two weeks despite not correlating with weather models.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather took issue with the reporting and said the changes of snowfall in Ireland in the near future is "very, very slim."

"The GFS weather model this morning did show some wintry weather over us. The 5cm would have been on the top of Lugnaquilla in the Wicklow mountains but the next update shows the cold weather is nowhere near us," Alan said.

"If you're going to start sharing articles that say there's going to be snow in two weeks, we're going to be here for the next three months every time a weather chart update shows a small chance of snow and it's going to be ridiculous.

"If they've got the Lotto numbers as well, I'll take them," Alan joked as he labelled the reporting as "nonsense."

Getting back to the weather models, he said: "There is a chance of some colder weather towards the end of the month, but it's a chance and may not come near us."

He added: "The chances of snow? Very, very, very slim and trying to forecast that is pretty much impossible so I don't think I'll be stocking up on snow boots just yet."

So an online outlet has decided to look at one GFS weather model for 10 days time and say it’s going to snow. That model only showed on Wicklow Mountains and the next update shows cold well away from us and now snow. Going to be a long winter with this crap! pic.twitter.com/wyFsKiQFQr

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 15, 2023

Meanwhile, while Met Éireann says the rest of this week will be unsettled with rain and blustery winds, the national forecaster has found some light at the end of the tunnel. 

Their forecast from next Monday, November 20, says: "High pressure situated close to the southwest is signalling slightly warmer than average temperatures for the period in most areas, although temperatures remaining close to average along eastern coasts. Precipitation amounts are expected to be slightly below average in parts of the east and south of the country while in the north and east precipitation is expected to be slightly above average."

For the week from November 27, they add: "Currently high pressure is forecast to dominate Ireland’s weather for this week, steering weather systems away from our shores. Temperatures are expected to be slightly above average in many areas, however temperatures more around average along eastern and southern coastal areas. As a result of the influence of high pressure, precipitation is expected to be below or around average in most areas, with perhaps the far northwest having slightly above average precipitation amounts."

Beyond that and into early December, they say there is "increasing uncertainty" but that "current indications suggest, slightly wetter than average conditions in most areas, although there is a chance that rainfall in the southeast will be closer to average. Temperatures are forecast to be around average."