Snow update in Ireland as winter sets to take over with frost and ice

Big change on the way – some parts could see snowfall

It’s not exactly the time to get the skis and snowshoes out – but after all the rain last week – three yellow alerts for Cork alone and Orange with Storm Claudia – we’re about to enter the deep cold.

The latest weather models show temperatures falling to freezing or just below overnight for much of the country from tomorrow evening (Sunday), with daytime temperatures also falling to between 6 and 10C for much of Munster from Monday. It will be much colder but also drier as a more stable high pressure system puts an end to the near constant showers of the past week.

And overnight there could be frost and ice starting Tuesday morning, creating a new set of hazards on our roads as low temperatures and possibly freezing fog make roads dangerous in more isolated or exposed areas. There is some threat of snow by Thursday, but this would be across the north and Midlands and no signs of significant frost yet, with temperatures falling slightly below normal for this time of year.

The UK is bracing for snowy conditions by Wednesday, with new data from forecast site WXCharts suggesting that by 6am on Wednesday November 19, a 500-mile snow front will extend from John O’Groats, at the northern tip of Scotland, to the capital. Central Europe is also expected to see temperatures drop well below freezing by the middle of next week as winter sets in on the continent.

The full forecast tonight for Munster looks like:

THIS EVENING

Staying mostly cloudy overnight with a few spots of light rain or drizzle as well as some mist and fog in places. Lowest temperatures 6 to 9 degrees in light to moderate northeast breezes.

TOMORROW – Sunday November 16

A cloudy start tomorrow with a few spots of light rain or drizzle. Clear spells will develop from the north until late morning and into the afternoon. Maximum temperatures 8 to 12 degrees with light, sometimes moderate, north or northeast breezes.

National Perspectives

Overview: Some rain and showers at times but overall fairly dry weather. Becoming colder with some frosts at night.

Sunday evening: Mostly dry with long clear spells and just a chance of a few stray showers. Lowest temperatures 0 to 5 degrees in mostly light northerly breezes.

Monday: Dry with sunny spells for most of the day. Clouds will form later in the northwest with light rain possible in the evening. Maximum temperatures 6 to 10 degrees in light, variable breezes.

Monday evening: Becoming progressively cloudier from the northwest followed by periods of rain. The driest and coldest is in the south and east. Lowest temperatures -1 to +4 degrees with light to moderate west or southwest breezes.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy at first with flashes of rain extending to the southeast. Clear spells and scattered showers will follow from the northwest during the afternoon accompanied by a moderate to fresh west to northwest wind. Maximum temperatures 6 to 10 degrees.

Wednesday: A cold but sunny day. Mostly dry, however, showers will occur mainly in the north and northwest throughout the day, some of which will become wintry. Maximum temperatures of just 5 to 8 degrees in a cool, gusty northerly wind, strongest near exposed coasts. Winds will ease in the evening and overnight.

Other Outlook: Current indications suggest Thursday will be another cold day with a few showers, mainly in the north. More unstable conditions are then expected to develop for the rest of the week with temperatures increasing.