Ireland weather forecaster in major snow update as country braces for -8 degree cold snap

Ireland could be hit with a blast of snow next week as forecasters warn of a "prolonged" cold spell that could freeze the country with temperatures -8 degrees.

Many people have been wondering if it will snow next week as temperatures take a downward turn and meteorologist Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has said "a brief answer to the question is yes."

The forecaster says predicting snow and where it may fall in Ireland is "rarely a straightforward answer, and indeed this is the case with the upcoming cold spell as well."

"Temperatures will drop away over the coming days, with maximum values over the weekend faring no better than 2-5 degrees Celsius, with night time values reaching as low as -3 or -4 degrees Celsius, though remaining mostly dry."

Further explaining the reason for the impending cold snap, Cathal said: "A colder interlude of air from Central Europe is expected to push across the country from the east on Sunday night through Wednesday, introducing even colder air for a time with a risk of some snow showers developing over the Irish Sea.

"This lake effect snow means that some areas along east facing coasts could see some sleet and snow showers, with snow settling over higher ground or by night at lower altitudes initially, though amounts will be small and scattered.

"For the remainder of next week our weather looks like being mostly dry and cold with high pressure dominating. Day time values will remain in the low single figures, with night time lows down between -4 to -6 degrees Celsius in some sheltered areas.

"Thereafter there’s some uncertainty, as is always the case when forecasting into the long term. But, at the moment it looks increasingly likely that cold weather will remain in place across the country with temperatures possible dropping back further.

"Indeed some models do indicate a much colder spell of weather by mid month with a risk of more widespread snowfall, though such details are uncertain and further analysis will be required before this can be verified."

In their forecast, Met Éireann also predicts plunging temperatures with -3 on the cards next week.

"Becoming mostly dry as high pressure builds. Turing colder with frost and fog expected in places," they said.

They it be "a bright but rather cold day on Friday with sunshine and showers. The showers most frequent across the west and north of the country with the chance of hail. Top temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds.

"Cold and largely dry on Friday night with just a few showers in the northwest of the country. Frost will develop in many parts away from western and northern coastal districts. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees with northwest breezes falling light over land allowing some areas of mist or fog to develop.

"Saturday looks set to be a fine day with lots of sunshine expected once early mist or fog clears. Highest temperatures will range from 5 to 8 degrees in light breezes which will vary in direction. Very cold on Saturday night with widespread frost developing along with some icy patches. Areas of mist and fog will form with the potential for some pockets of freezing fog. Lowest temperatures generally ranging from -3 to zero degrees in light variable breezes or near calm conditions.

"A cold and frosty start on Sunday. Mist and fog will struggle to clear in many inland areas, lingering throughout much of the day. Where mist or fog clears it will be dry and mostly sunny. Highest temperatures generally ranging from 2 to 5 degrees but holding near freezing where fog lingers. Another cold and frosty night on Sunday night with some mist or fog at first. However, a moderate southeast breeze will develop later allowing a few showers to drift in to Irish Sea coastal areas and clearing much of the fog. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees.

"It looks set to be cold and breezy on Monday with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. It will be largely dry but the odd light shower is possible. Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in fresh southeast winds. A cold night will follow on Monday night with some frost and ice but a little less cold along the east coast with the chance of a shower. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +3 degrees in fresh easterly winds."

Their further outlook says "high pressure is expected to remain positioned close to Ireland bringing mostly dry and rather cold weather."