Major Ireland snow update with one area pinpointed for 30cm within days

Ireland is bracing for its first proper cold snap of winter 2024 with Met Éireann and other weather experts forecasting snow next week.

The northern half of the country is most at risk with one expert suggesting parts of Donegal and Derry on high ground could see 30cm of snow by midweek. Met Éireann has not specified snowfall amounts but has predicted wintry falls from Monday onwards.

Regional weather forecaster Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has made more detailed predictions with parts of Donegal and the North braced for between 10cm and 30cm of snow.

In an update on Friday, Cathal said: "The latest guidance from the GFS, ECMWF & a host of other weather models shows that the overnight position of the low pressure for Monday has shifted about 80km south of last nights position, bringing with it a risk of some heavy snowfall on Monday to parts of Ulster.

"As indicated in yesterday's updates, the closer in time we get to Monday the more likely it will be that the models shift the centre of the low a little further south. This is more of a regular occurrence in weather modelling, and if this theory proves to be correct then there’s a greater risk of snow elsewhere.

SNOW TRACKER: County by county snow map as Ireland braces for Met Éireann cold blast

"Indeed some of the individual runs from the ECMWF show a wide range of outcomes for Monday, with some bringing a risk of disruptive snow to more central areas also, depending on modified track however. In other words, the trend towards a southern track is improving.

"However, irrespective of the track of Monday's low pressure we will all experience a bitterly cold week, with fresh northerly winds feeding in a mixture of sunshine and heavy snow showers, with further accumulations of snow likely in exposed northern and northwestern areas in particular.

"Based on some weather models upland parts of Donegal, Derry, Tyrone could see close to 30cm of snow by midweek. With more moderate accumulations of between 5-15cm possible in other parts of the aforementioned counties as well as on higher ground elsewhere in the region," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued an update to its snow forecast for Ireland and confirmed wintry falls for some areas early next week.

The national forecaster has pinpointed Monday evening as the real start of the country's first cold snap of the year with the plunging temperatures set to last through to next weekend.

The outlook states: "Turning much colder next week. Some uncertainty in the forecast for Sunday night and Monday as a low-pressure system tracks near Ireland. However, there is now high confidence for a spell of cold and wintry weather from Monday night onwards and throughout much of next week with frost, ice and some wintry showers."

For Friday, Met Éireann predicts that it will be "generally cloudy across the south and east with scattered patches of rain and drizzle and areas of mist and fog. Some brighter, sunnier breaks further north and west. Another fairly mild day for November with highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in light to moderate southwest or variable winds.

"Mostly cloudy tonight [Friday] with patches of mist and drizzle about. A band of rain will move down from the north to affect Ulster and north Connacht soon after midnight before tracking gradually south over the country during the night. Lowest temperatures of between 4 and 10 degrees, coldest in Ulster and Connacht after the rain clears through early on Saturday morning."

They predict a damp start to Saturday across the southern half of the country with patchy rain and drizzle.

"Drier weather further north with some sunny spells and just the odd shower. Rain will clear from the south coast by Saturday afternoon leaving a mix of cloud and sunny spells across the country with just a few showers in Ulster. Feeling somewhat fresher with afternoon highs of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate northwest winds," their outlook continued.

"A cold night [Saturday] with clear spells and just a few showers, these mainly affecting north Ulster where the odd hail shower is possible. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees generally but it will be less cold in Atlantic coastal margins with moderate west to northwest winds.

"A fresh and bright day for much of the country on Sunday with spells of sunshine and just a few showers in northern and western coastal counties. Cloud will thicken from the Atlantic by evening though with rain developing on the northwest coast. Highest temperatures will range from 7 to 10 degrees with moderate westerly breezes. On Sunday night, rain looks set to extend across the country and it will turn breezy. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees," Met Éireann added.

The big change in the weather comes on Monday. Met Éireann says: "An area of low pressure moves across Ireland on Monday bringing outbreaks of rain. Some wintry falls are possible over the north of the country but details remain uncertain. Highest temperatures of 4 to 12 degrees (north to south). Cold on Monday night with frost and ice forming as temperatures fall back to between -1 and +3 degrees. Some wintry showers will affect northern and western counties.

"A cold northerly air-flow develops over Ireland from Tuesday to Friday bringing a mix of sunshine and scattered wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow.

"Showers will be most frequent across Connacht and Ulster with some lying snow expected, especially over the hills but not exclusively. There will be widespread frost and ice at night with some hazardous travelling conditions.

"Typical daytime temperatures will range from around 3 to 6 degrees whilst night-time temperatures will range from around zero to -3 degrees," they concluded.