Wall of cold weather from Greenland bearing down on Ireland amid snow threat

A wall of cold weather from Greenland could be making its way towards Ireland in the coming days, bringing some freezing temperatues, according to weather watchers. 

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has previously said the country could be set to endure its coldest spell on winter weather since the big freeze of 2010 with temperatures possibly dipping to -8 degrees.

While there is consensus among weather experts that our weather is going to turn colder during January, the extent of the cold snap remains firmly up in the air with weather models notoriously hard to rely on ten days out.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather has updated followers about a possible cold snap but was quick to point out the unreliability of models so far out.

"Plenty of very interesting weather charts being produced by models but the real interesting ones are still over 10 days away so very likely to change. If this setup did happen then we would see risk of real cold but I’ll keep followers up to date over coming days as we get closer," he said posting pictures of two very icy blue weather charts.

He added: "Turning cooler with temperatures dropping over next few days and by Sunday windchill will make it feel much cooler. The windchill Monday keeping it feeling below 0c all day with a windchill Monday morning as low as -6c in Easterly wind. A chance of some wintry showers blowing into the East early next week but hard to forecast those this far out."

Plenty of very interesting weather charts being produced by models but the real interesting ones are still over 10 days away so very likely to change. If this setup did happen then we would see risk of real cold but I’ll keep followers up to date over coming days as we get closer pic.twitter.com/Kn0WSPWalo

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 4, 2024

Meanwhile, in his latest forecast, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel said: "Temperatures will drop away over the coming days, with maximum values over the weekend faring no better than 2-5 degrees Celsius, with night time values reaching as low as -3 or -4 degrees Celsius, though remaining mostly dry."

Further explaining the reason for the impending cold snap, Cathal said: "A colder interlude of air from Central Europe is expected to push across the country from the east on Sunday night through Wednesday, introducing even colder air for a time with a risk of some snow showers developing over the Irish Sea.

"This lake effect snow means that some areas along east facing coasts could see some sleet and snow showers, with snow settling over higher ground or by night at lower altitudes initially, though amounts will be small and scattered.

"For the remainder of next week our weather looks like being mostly dry and cold with high pressure dominating. Day time values will remain in the low single figures, with night time lows down between -4 to -6 degrees Celsius in some sheltered areas.

"Thereafter there’s some uncertainty, as is always the case when forecasting into the long term. But, at the moment it looks increasingly likely that cold weather will remain in place across the country with temperatures possible dropping back further.

"Indeed some models do indicate a much colder spell of weather by mid month with a risk of more widespread snowfall, though such details are uncertain and further analysis will be required before this can be verified."

Met Éireann is holding judgement on a longer cold spell but has forecasted plunging temperatures for the days ahead.

They said Friday would be "mainly dry and sunny" with just isolated showers in mostly moderate northwest winds.

"However, scattered showers will affect northern and Atlantic counties along with freshening winds at times. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees," they added.

It will also be mainly dry and clear Friday night with isolated showers, with "more well scattered showers in the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of minus 2 to plus 3 degrees, with frost in places. Mostly light northwest winds will allow areas of fog or mist to develop," forecasters added.

The Met Éireann forecast continued: "Mainly dry and sunny on Saturday after any lingering mist clears though there will be some isolated light showers, mainly in the north. Highest temperatures 5 to 8 degrees generally in light variable breezes.

"Cold and frosty on Saturday night. Areas of fog may become dense in places. Lowest temperatures minus 3 to zero degrees in light variable breezes.

"Cold and frosty on Sunday with fog lingering inland, sunny otherwise. Highest temperatures 3 to 6 degrees lower where fog lingers.

"Cold, foggy and frosty again on Sunday night. Lowest temperatures of minus 3 to zero degrees.

"A cold but mainly dry day on Monday with a mix of cloud and sunny spells once any fog clears. Highest temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees in fresh southeast winds.

"A cold night will follow on Monday night with some frost and ice but a little less cold along the east coast with the chance of a shower. Lowest temperatures of minus 3 to plus 1 degrees in fresh easterly winds."

Their outlook beyond that states: "Current indications suggest high pressure will remain positioned close to Ireland bringing mostly dry and rather cold weather.