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| A frosty scene. Pic by John Kelly. |
As Irish Weather Online reported last week colder and drier weather will replace the current unsettled period of weather from Sunday onwards.
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| A frosty scene, Jan 10. Pic by John Kelly. |
Long range weather models indicate at least a temporary reprieve to the strong winds and heavy rain affecting Ireland and the UK in recent weeks.
Day time highs in the final week of November will remain below normal, averaging in Ireland between 4-7C, while locally severe ground and air night frosts accompanied by fog are expected.
Precipitation levels during the period also will be below average for the time of year. However, there will be an increasing risk of wintry showers, with snow showers likely on high ground, in the East and North of the country from Sunday onwards.
High pressure blocking systems over northern Scandinavia and another located directly over Iceland will result in a colder pool of air from the Continent drifting westwards over the British Isles.
Models indicate that this blocking system could remain in place and keep Atlantic systems at bay until at least the end of the month.
The below chart illustrates the rise in high pressure to the North and Northeast, which will gradually extend its influence over our weather later next week.
Day time highs in the final week of November will remain below normal, averaging in Ireland between 4-7C, while locally severe ground and air night frosts accompanied by fog are expected.
Precipitation levels during the period also will be below average for the time of year. However, there will be an increasing risk of wintry showers, with snow showers likely on high ground, in the East and North of the country from Sunday onwards.
High pressure blocking systems over northern Scandinavia and another located directly over Iceland will result in a colder pool of air from the Continent drifting westwards over the British Isles.
Models indicate that this blocking system could remain in place and keep Atlantic systems at bay until at least the end of the month.
The below chart illustrates the rise in high pressure to the North and Northeast, which will gradually extend its influence over our weather later next week.
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| Upper air temperatures (c) Meteociel. Click to enlarge. |
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| Snow/sleet precipitation chart for Wednesday, 24 Nov. (c) Meteociel |
iWeather Online forecaster Peter O’Donnell explained that the change to colder weather will come about later in the weekend.
“Sunday will be cloudy with showers, rather sleety in north. It will turn much cooler with winds E to NE ranging 20-30 mph. Temperatures will range from 2 C to 7 C.
“It will be cold and breezy for much of next week with temperatures well below normal. There will be locally severe frosts overnight with lows around -3 C. The days will be chilly with some sunshine and scattered wintry showers. NE winds will range between 20-30 mph and day time highs of 4-6 C can be expected.
“At least it doesn't look as wet although not bone dry either, so there will be a very gradual drying trend for waterlogged fields and high stream levels”, added Mr. O’Donnell.
View Peter O’Donnell’s Winter 2010-11 forecast HERE.
“Sunday will be cloudy with showers, rather sleety in north. It will turn much cooler with winds E to NE ranging 20-30 mph. Temperatures will range from 2 C to 7 C.
“It will be cold and breezy for much of next week with temperatures well below normal. There will be locally severe frosts overnight with lows around -3 C. The days will be chilly with some sunshine and scattered wintry showers. NE winds will range between 20-30 mph and day time highs of 4-6 C can be expected.
“At least it doesn't look as wet although not bone dry either, so there will be a very gradual drying trend for waterlogged fields and high stream levels”, added Mr. O’Donnell.
View Peter O’Donnell’s Winter 2010-11 forecast HERE.