Snow will fall in Ireland this week, with Met Eireann confirming exactly where and when to expect it.
The national forecaster has issued an urgent nationwide ‘winter weather’ advisory that lasts until 11.30pm on Saturday.
The alert reads: “Very cold this week as an Arctic airmass sets in, bringing sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads. Showers of hail, sleet, and snow will occur during the second half of the week.”
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The meteorological service has not ruled out issuing further warnings as brutal weather takes hold, adding: “Updates with potential warnings will be issued in the coming days.”
It comes as Arctic winds are forecast to send temperatures tumbling as low as -4C later this week.
Met Eireann says it will feel “bitterly cold” with daytime temperatures in the low single figures, plummeting below zero overnight alongside severe frost and icy stretches.
Wednesday has been pinpointed as the day the wintry weather will take hold with snow likely on high ground during the day, and further falls moving southward overnight.
By Thursday, “a mix of sunny spells and well scattered showers of sleet, snow and hail” is likely, according to the national forecaster.
Looking ahead to the weekend, it said “little change expected, staying very cold with some wintry showers and widespread frost by night.”
Areas in the north and north west are forecast to see the most snow, according to Met Eireann.
Last week, some meteorologists in Britain sounded alarm bells about the emergence of a possible weather pattern that could threaten a ‘Beast from the East’ subzero freeze here.
They said that high pressure growing over eastern Europe could drive the chilly front as it nudges closer to Ireland.
Meteorologist Jim Dale told Express : “There is a change in weather patterns now looking likely at the start of December. If this happens, we are in a classic position to get a cold flow in from the east.
“This is an indicator of a Beast from the East, and although it has not woken up fully yet, it is safe to say the beast is opening its eyes.”
Meanwhile, there are fears the cold spell could last into next week.
Irish weather expert Alan O’Reilly has shared models on his Carlow Weather social media accounts showing the possibility for cold weather to last for at least seven days.
He told his followers: “Latest weather models in good agreement now that cold weather will last for at least 7 days and increasing risk it will extend even further.
“Latest forecast of upper air temperatures here and you can see the cooler shades of blue staying over Ireland.”
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