Will Ireland get new Beast from the East? Weather expert explains chance of snow blast

Weather models are suggesting Ireland could be set to endure another cold spell before the end of winter, according to forecasters. 

Ireland has endured weeks of unsettled, and at time very cold weather, with wind, rain, sleet and snow all making an appearance since the turn of the year. 

Now, some experts have hinted at a new cold blast at the end of February due to a Sudden Stratospheric Warming weather phenomenon, similar to the system that delivered the Beast from the East snow to Ireland in 2018.

Carlow Weather forecaster Alan O'Reilly has indicated that there is a chance of "SSW Sudden Stratospheric Warming happening this month which could have some impacts of weather for March."

In response to questions on the impact of this, Alan said it could mean "possibly colder weather". 

This prompted several followers to comment on X (formerly Twitter) that it could mean another 'beast from the East', when Ireland endured record low temperatures and snowfall almost six years ago. 

This occurred at the end of February and early March, 2018 when temperatures dropped to record lows In Ireland with widespread snowfalls across the country.

According to Met Éireann: "On the 12th February 2018, a Sudden Stratospheric Warming influenced the synoptic weather patterns in the Northern Hemisphere a few weeks later, which led directly to the cold spell in Ireland."

The SSW system does not necessarily mean snow like 2018 but could bring cold weather. 

Met Éireann has not predicted that far ahead in detail but its long range forecast says the week from February 26 to March 3 will see "low pressure now every much in charge with rather unsettled weather expected throughout."

They say it will be "wetter than average across the country but again not by much and the temperatures will be around average. Lower upper air temperatures again however will mean some convective weather is also possible."

They predict the low pressure will begin to abate the following week "but it will still stay wet and unsettled for much of the week.

"Temperatures will return to slightly above average in the southeast but overall will remain normal. Convective weather, owing to a large cold pool of air aloft, remains a possibility for another rather unsettled week."

In the meantime, their forecast says "Monday will be dry for many to begin with sunny spells, although there will still be a few showers about in western counties. Through the afternoon and evening, showers will become more widespread and some will be heavy or prolonged, with a chance of hail. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees with light to moderate southwest winds increasing moderate to fresh by the afternoon, strong at times in the west and northwest.

"Cold overnight [on Monday] with clear spells and just isolated showers. Towards dawn, cloud will thicken in the south and rain will move in across Munster. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with patchy frost and ice early on.

"Cloudy and breezy on Tuesday with rain extending nationwide, turning heavy in places. Maximum afternoon temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in northern areas and 9 to 12 degrees in the south with fresh and gusty south to southeast winds. Wet and breezy on Tuesday night with outbreaks of rain. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in fresh and gusty southerly winds.

"It looks set to be mild and breezy on Wednesday with rain in the north clearing to leave a mix of sunshine and showers. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in fresh and gusty southwest winds. Becoming mostly cloudy on Wednesday night with rain developing in the south later in the night. Minimum temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

"It is expected to be cloudy and wet on Thursday with outbreaks of rain along with areas of mist and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in fresh easterly winds. Cloudy and wet on Thursday night with rain, drizzle and mist. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees, coldest in the north with fresh northeast winds.

"Current indications are that Friday will be a cloudy day with showers or longer spells of rain. Maximum temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in the north and 10 to 13 degrees in the south with a fresh easterly breeze."