Current Weather indications

One thing that strikes me in the closer charts is this.

Higher pressure over Ireland. Hpa of over 1014 is not good for precip. While we may have a cold air mass moving in from the east, if the pressure is too high, then any showers will be light flurries delivering nothing past the westlink on the M50, never mind getting into the heartlands of Laois!

I dunno, Christmas 1995 and the first week or so of 1996 was the last time a eaterly delivered good widespread snow, enough ice days to count on both your hands and feet.

Earthman wrote:

Yes thats correct but iirc that was more of a northerly than an Easterly.
I know Scotland had record low temps and the heavy snow came out of an atlantic weather system that moved in.
That system turned to Rain though before it ended and temps got up into the low teens that night.

It started around the 20th or 21st and went on for ages!

I think it was a NE'ly.

Was the best cold spell I can recall, excl 1987.

And followed a great summer 1995. What a year 1995 was for weather!

It was an amazing cold spell!

I don't think temps got above 0c or 2c for the whole period. New Years Eve was snowy.

http://www.metcheck.com/discussion.asp <<< Interesting

Rightio, across the internet, various forums, weather websites and official Met Offices have been taking a cautious, but collective agreement on the quite likely development of a substantial cold spell developing across North Western Europe over the weekend and on into next week

But, as we all know, these are UK websites and generally do not include Ireland in issuing forecasts, or don't do so in any great detail.

So, how will this cold event unfold, how will it affect Ireland?

Well, here are my thoughts and opinions:

Friday sees a cold front hovering across the centre of Ireland bringing drizzle and the odd pocket of heavy rain especially to E areas.

This front will push south later into the night, but as it does so, I expect an intense burst of rain over the East, and with cold air already in the north, this cuts in to the rain band and could give sleety conditions for a time.

Into Saturday, and a cold N wind takes over, giving wintry showers to N and NE coasts.

But it is later on on Sunday, when we see a NE coming into line, and a trough of showers will cross N Cenrtal UK, and picking up more steam over the Irish sea. Late in Sunday evening, I expect this line to push over much of Eastern Ireland and into the midlands bringing snowfall for most areas.

Monday sees a repeat performance, but with overcast conditions, the cold will stay in and very little thawing will take place. I expect rather cloudy and flurry style conditions to persist for some days after.

The NW, W and SW will not have much snowfall, and it might not be cold enough there for some. They will enjoy more crisp cool and sunny conditions as they will be closer to the high pressure.

More Later!

My, it is quiet today!

Any snow to report in Ireland?

Was the event in Cork, E Limerick and Tipp good last night???