When will it snow in Ireland? Met Éireann in major update on cold weather blast

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.”

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

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.