Met Éireann issues rare weather advisory as Ireland braces for winter’s first cold snap
Met Éireann issued a rare weather advisory for all of Ireland on Friday, November 15, 2024, as the first major cold snap of the winter season approaches. Starting Monday, November 18, temperatures are set to plunge significantly, with the threat of snow, sleet, and widespread frost expected to create hazardous conditions across the country.
ECMWF 2-m Air Temperature (°C) for November 21, 2024. Credit: ECMWF, TropicalTidbits, The Watchers
- Met Éireann has issued a rare weather advisory for all of Ireland, warning of the first cold snap of winter and the threat of snow.
- Temperatures across Ireland are expected to drop significantly starting Monday, November 18, due to a low-pressure system and Arctic air moving in.
- From Tuesday, November 19, daytime temperatures will range between 2 and 6 °C (35.6 and 42.8 °F), while nighttime temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, leading to widespread frost and ice.
- Hazardous travel conditions are expected due to poor visibility and widespread frost, with the cold air mass likely to remain over Ireland until at least November 22.
Met Éireann issued a rare weather advisory for all of Ireland on Friday, citing the first cold snap of the winter and the threat of snow.
Temperatures are expected to drop significantly across the country starting Monday. The cold snap is attributed to a low-pressure system moving in from Sunday, November 17, into Monday, with cold Arctic air descending over the country on Tuesday, November 19.
The path of the low-pressure system remains uncertain, but it is expected to bring heavy, persistent rain to the west and north, with the possibility of sleet and snow in parts of Ulster on Monday.
From Tuesday, temperatures are forecast to drop significantly as cold Arctic air moves southward over the country. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 2 and 6 °C (35.6 and 42.8 °F), while nighttime temperatures are predicted to fall below freezing, resulting in widespread frost and ice.
The northerly airflow is expected to bring sleet and snow showers, particularly to the northern parts of the country, with some potential for showers extending to the south.
These weather conditions are likely to make travel hazardous due to poor visibility and potential disruptions. The extent of the wintry showers remains uncertain, but the cold northerly air mass is expected to persist over Ireland at least until November 22, with conditions beyond that still unclear.
References:
1 First cold snap of the season (Week commencing the 18th of November) – Met Eireann – November 15, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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