Extreme cold weather from Feb 25th on, and now St. Patrick's Day on...

M.T. Cranium's update for today...

Monday, 26 February, 2018

Forecasts for Ireland


ADVANCE ALERT for severe cold and heavy snowfalls in the coming week, with the risk of travel disruption and blizzard like conditions developing especially from Wednesday to Friday.

TODAY ... Some sunshine this morning, quite cold with southeast winds 40-70 km/hr adding considerably to the chill factor. Highs around mid-day 4 to 6 C, then temperatures are likely to fall sharply this afternoon in east, by evening west, as the really cold air arrives from Britain. It will become mostly cloudy and there could be occasional light snow or sleet although it will take a while to start this process.

TONIGHT ... Cloudy with a few clear breaks, occasional flurries and risk of some local accumulating snow near east coast, 2 to 4 cm. Lows -4 to -7 C colder in west and north. Winds east to northeast 40 to 70 km/hr adding chill (feeling like -10 C).

TUESDAY ... Variable cloud, windy and very cold, with outbreaks of snow (possibly sleet right along the east coast but snow more likely any distance inland), potential for 5 to 15 cms in Leinster, 3 to 10 cms in south and east Munster, traces to 3 cms further west and north. Winds northeast 40 to 70 km/hr, highs -1 to +3 C, and temperatures likely to drop during snowfall to -1 C. Snow may be accompanied by thunder especially near east coast.

WEDNESDAY ... After a very cold start (lows -11 to -5 C) becoming very windy with outbreaks of heavy snow likely, thunder possible, accumulations of 10 to 25 cms in parts of Leinster could be disruptive to travel, 5 to 15 cms in parts of Munster and east Ulster, tapering to trace amounts near west coast (but some bursts of heavier snow could reach as far west as Galway and Limerick). Highs only -4 to -1 C, feeling like -10 C in the wind which will be easterly 50 to 90 km/hr.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY ... A severe winter storm appears very likely, although those conditions may already be occurring by Wednesday in parts of Leinster. This storm is likely to spread to all parts of Ireland with strong east winds 60 to 110 km/hr (in exposed coastal east and south, more like 50 to 80 km/hr elsewhere), heavy snow, blowing snow and blizzard conditions especially over open rural and higher terrain. There is potential for 20 to 50 cms of snow during this period. Temperatures will be steady in the range of -2 to +1 C. Some guidance suggests sleet changing to rain could spread into south at least near coast, and this could eventually push further north. Other guidance still says that the cold and snow remain in place and continue with somewhat reduced severity into Saturday 3rd. ... This will obviously be very disruptive and travellers could be stranded if this comes to pass, keep in touch with the forecasts as better guidance becomes available mid-week.

OUTLOOK ... If the milder air and rain does spread over large portions of Ireland (considered about 50% likely at this point) the snow would melt rather quickly leading to widespread flooding, how severe depending on snow pack and rainfall amounts. Temperatures would rise to about 7 C and then there would be several days of unsettled weather with further rain or sleet and mostly southeasterly winds. If the snow hangs on and cold air stays in place, expect a much slower moderation with sleet or drizzle at times, highs near 4 C, and some chance of a return to very cold conditions by about the 7th or so (about a 40% chance of this outcome). There is even a chance of severe cold and further snow continuing for days beyond Friday 2nd (10% chance).

Usually do my shopping on a Monday after work. Popped in today for the weekly ritual, and the car park was damn near full. And the amount of trolleys loaded to the gills was mental. If ya did yer usual weekly shop, ya'd probably survive the finest. Maybe a bit extra for lunches or something if yer housebound. After that, it's a bit much.

I'm hoping myself for a savage amount of snow and be stuck in the house for a few days! Just to see what a savage amount of snow is like more than anything :pac:

roosterman71 wrote: »

Usually do my shopping on a Monday after work. Popped in today for the weekly ritual, and the car park was damn near full. And the amount of trolleys loaded to the gills was mental. If ya did yer usual weekly shop, ya'd probably survive the finest. Maybe a bit extra for lunches or something if yer housebound. After that, it's a bit much.

I'm hoping myself for a savage amount of snow and be stuck in the house for a few days! Just to see what a savage amount of snow is like more than anything :pac:

Only went in as kids at football beside Tesco. Was crazy. No briquettes left either.