WEATHER ALERT Heavy Snow


Blizzard conditions are being forecast for parts of the east overnight, tomorrow and tomorrow night.

Between 2-7 inches of snow, is expected to fall in counties Louth, Dublin and Wicklow ,while heavy and sometimes prolonged snow showers will push inland.  

iWeather Online forecaster Peter O’Donnell said tomorrow could bring a ‘peak snow day’ for the eastern half of the country.

“Tomorrow will be cloudy with some sunny intervals.  However, stronger winds developing with  highs generally -4 to 0 C.  There is a risk of some heavier snow streamers for eastern counties spreading at times well inland, in ENE winds of 20-35 mph. This may be the "peak snow day" in general terms because of the wind, depth of cold air coming in, and so it's possible that some areas will start to see close to storm or blizzard conditions. Amounts will no doubt be highly variable but we may be looking at 5-15 cms in some parts.

“Tuesday night and Wednesday will continue very cold and if it clears at all on Tuesday night, lows could fall to -11 C over snow fields and -6 C or lower in general. However, it may stay rather cloudy for many areas with continuing snow flurries or squalls. Wednesday will continue very cold with some sunshine developing and fewer snow streamers as winds fall off somewhat to NE 10-25 mph”, added Mr. O’Donnell.

Area east of the dark line most at risk.   
Area between dark and light line likely to see occasional but heavy snow showers

Met Eireann has also issued a severe weather alert.  It is predicting heavy snowfalls expected tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night in east Leinster with accumulations of 5-10cm of snow in inland locations and 10-20cm in Counties Louth and Dublin and 15-25cm in County Wicklow.  Met Eireann says the  exceptionally cold weather will continue through the week. Night-time temperatures will drop as low as -10C (or lower) and daytime maxima of zero to 4 degrees C. Further snow showers will occur with a high risk of significant accumulations in the east.  There will be freezing fog also.

Meanwhile, parts of the west of Ireland and Ulster could see a band of heavy snow on Wednesday as a frontal system approaches the country from the northwest. More on this as we get it.