I have been very busy for the last month hence no update since December! Anyway we are looking at a very cold week over Ireland, with the first proper cold spell this winter. Bitter winds from siberia are racing accross europe, Ireland is going to get off lightly compared to the rest of europe. Extremely low temperatures are forecast over most of europe this week, possibly getting down to -30c over france or switzerland. Ireland will see very cold temps this week but they will be no where near as extreme as on the continent!
Tuesday will start Cold in the east and milder in the west, Rain/sleet will be falling over eastern areas during the early hours before a clearance by dawn. Max temps 3c in the east and 8c in the west. Tuesday will get progressively colder as the day wears on- any rain turning to snow by the afternoon in the east. Snow showers are likely along eastern coastal counties during tuesday evening/night, these are not expected to give large accumulations, 1-5cm is possible, especially over higher ground. The western half if the country should stay dry with a sharp frost setting in early, lows of 1c to -4c.
Wednesday will start very cold everywhere, light snow showers possible in the east. Dry and sunny elsewhere. Max temps of 0c to +3c. On wednesday evening a severe frost will set in early, lows of 0c to -5c, coldest away from east facing coasts. Snow showers are possible in eastern coastal counties overnight, they will be mainly light but confidence is low in this forecast, significant accumulations cannot be ruled out.
Thursday will be another bitter day with the wind chill making it feel very cold indeed. Light snow showers along the east coast with dry crisp weather elsewhere. Ice/Frost will be very slow to clear and may not thaw out at all, maximum temps -1c to +2c. Thurday night will be bitterly cold everywhere with lows of between 0c and -7c. -10c is possible in the east midlands if there is any snowcover. Confidence is low in amount of accumulated snow in eastern areas.
The forecast for friday comes with very low confidence at present, some weather models have the warm air returning by friday, others show it a few days after that. The most likely scenario is that it stays very cold everywhere until atleast saturday. There is the potential for heavy snow over the midlands/east of the country on friday. (confidence is extremely low for friday and beyond)
Will update soon (or if major change in forecast)
Dan
