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

M.T. Cranium,s Update from the Weather Forum

Saturday, 3 March, 2018

Forecasts for Ireland


TODAY ... Mostly overcast with some fog developing over heavier snow packs, light sleet or snow at times this morning in a few locations, followed by an interval of rain near the southeast coasts, making some progress inland and upslope but turning to sleet or snow over higher parts of the southeast. This may also make sporadic appearances further north and west although not likely to be much of a factor in Connacht or Ulster where occasional outbreaks of sleety light showers may continue. In general, somewhat milder with highs 4 to 7 C at low elevations, and 2 to 4 C over higher and more inland districts (-1 to 2 C on higher slopes). Snow melt will be gradual and mostly confined to coastal margins, and some urban areas, leading to some ponding of meltwater by afternoon and evening there. Winds generally lighter than recent days but occasionally moderate easterly in Leinster, and there could be one or two weak streamers setting up at times, bringing more of a mixed bag of precipitation types. Where safe and possible to do, clear snow off flat roof surfaces to avoid later problems.

TONIGHT ... Sleet or wet snow at times in the east may begin to deposit new snow inland and on higher ground, but generally slight accumulations. Foggy especially over higher terrain and snow packs. Rather cold in the north especially in any clearing spells, lows -5 to -2 there, otherwise -1 to +2 C.

SUNDAY ... The slow thaw will continue to gain momentum with a slight increase in temperatures to 5 to 8 C near sea level and 2 to 5 C inland and on some higher slopes. Snow melt while not dramatic will be steady and urban ponding issues will increase. Slush and standing water will be on the increase and some light rain or sleet at times will add to this. A few sunny breaks are possible over west and north.

OUTLOOK ... For most of the week, similar conditions to the weekend will continue with a slow but steady thaw gradually reducing the snow packs and isolating the remnants to the worst hit areas in central Leinster and higher ground generally. There will be occasional outbreaks of sleet, wet snow or light rain each day, and some icing at night with any clear intervals. Lows will be in the range of -3 to +3 C and highs in the range of 4 to 9 C. A heavier rainfall could develop later in the week although some guidance takes that disturbance far enough east that it might lead to a northerly return of cold air for a day or two and snowfall potential, so that part of the forecast remains quite uncertain (around Thursday-Friday). There is no guarantee that the cold air will stay away permanently once flushed out this weekend, but the pattern appears to be slowly changing to a cool maritime southwesterly flow with the colder air now confined to northern latitudes and the western half of the Atlantic (upper level steering features have moved west, or undergone "retrogression.")