Weather advisory issued for all of Ireland over possible snow

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The advisory is valid from today (Friday, 15 November) for just over a week and is set to conclude the following Friday night/Saturday morning at midnight.

Met Éireann says in the alert that a transition to "significantly colder conditions" will take place from Monday, 18 November.

This will then last "through much of the week", it added.

"Wintry hazards including frost and ice are likely with potential for sleet, snow and hail for some," the advisory reads.

Providing more detail about the conditions in her meteorologist’s commentary was Met Éireann’s Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman.

Explaining the reasoning for the advisory, she said that after an unusually mild start to November, people will get “quite a shock” as temperatures plummet next week.

She added:

“Details are uncertain with the exact track of a low-pressure system on Sunday night and during Monday, but at present, some heavy and persistent rain is expected in the west and north with the possibility of some sleet and snow over parts of Ulster on Monday.

“Met Éireann will be monitoring this situation closely over the weekend.”

Coleman said there will be “showers of sleet and snow” from Tuesday onwards, mostly in the northern half of the country – though possibly also in the south.

This is as daytime temperatures are forecasted to drop to around 2 to 6 degrees, with night-time temperatures also falling widely to below freezing.

“There is a high degree of certainty that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic airmass sinks over the country from the north,” Coleman said.

“Daytime temperatures will often range around 2 to 6 degrees with night-time temperatures widely falling below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice.

“The northerly airflow will also bring showers of sleet and snow, these most frequent over the northern half of the country but there is potential for some showers to reach further south.

“These conditions will bring some hazardous travelling conditions, travel disruptions and poor visibility”

The extent of the wintry showers in terms of snow is still unclear, Coleman added.

She said more information will be revealed as Met Éireann’s high resolution model comes into play, which provides forecast information two days ahead.

“The cold northerly airmass looks set to linger over Ireland until next Friday at least, but possibly into next weekend too, although uncertainty increases after Friday (22nd),” Coleman’s commentary also reads.

Met Éireann has said it will issue warnings as necessary over the coming days.

The following potential impacts are expected:

• Hazardous travelling conditions due to frost and ice patches
• Poor visibility in wintry showers
• Travel disruption
• Animal welfare issues