Ireland could be in for a blanket of Christmas snow with one weather expert flags up the arrival of a "frigid cold airmass".
While most weather boffins across the nation are keeping tight-lipped about potential snowfall in the next few weeks, whispers of a white Christmas are getting louder, with more clarity expected by the weekend, reports the Irish Mirror. Taking to social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, Donegal Weather Channel highlighted one particular forecast: "ECMWF weather model for Christmas day is very interesting with a frigid cold northerly airmass and snowfall in the west, northwest and north. Early days yet as this is only one run," they shared online.
Donegal Weather Channel that, "The American GFS model has things milder for Christmas day and mostly dry. Come this weekend we should start to get a idea of what the days over the Christmas period will look like."
Meanwhile, Met Eireann updated its extended range forecast on Tuesday and whilst the experts there are playing their snow cards very close to their chest, they are refusing to rule it out altogether between Monday December 23 and Sunday December 29.
"Temperatures are predicted to be slightly above normal overall although, with high pressure, there is a possibility of colder/frostier nights and lingering mist and fog during the days.
"Anticyclonic gloom – generally cloudy conditions – might also be a feature though. The orientation of the high pressure is such that a northwesterly or variable airflow might dominate which would mean greater amounts of precipitation in the northwest. Wintry showers cannot therefore be ruled out," Met Eireann added.
Elsewhere, Met Eireann's weather outlook for the rest of the week is "mostly dry through the period with high pressure nearby. Cold at first with some frost and possibly some fog during the nights. Turning milder through the weekend."
Thursday night: Largely dry with a mix of cloud and clear spells. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees generally with light variable breezes and some frost and fog patches developing. Milder though for southern and eastern counties where there will be some patches of light rain and drizzle.
Friday: A good deal of cloud expected along with some patchy rain and drizzle, mainly for eastern and southern counties and then later in the northwest. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees generally in light variable breezes.
Friday night: Largely cloudy at first with light rain or drizzle in the northwest, slowly sinking southeastwards while becoming patchier. Fog patches will develop again. Becoming clearer in the north and west towards morning. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with light northwesterly winds developing.
Saturday: Mostly dry with spells of sunshine and just well scattered showers, mainly near northern and western coasts. Through the afternoon and evening, cloud will build from the northwest. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in light westerly breezes.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a few patches of light rain and drizzle, mainly for northern and western counties. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with moderate westerly winds developing, fresh at times in the west and northwest.
Further Outlook: Some uncertainty at this stage but indications are that the early days of next week will be mostly cloudy with some rain and showers but still a good deal of dry weather. Temperatures generally reaching between 8 and 11 degrees.
Week 1 (Monday December 16 to Sunday December 22)
High pressure centred to the southeast and west of Ireland is likely to be the dominant influence through this period. This does not preclude an absence of low pressure or frontal systems, especially for northwestern areas, though it does mean that the strength of any precipitation and wind associated with them will be tempered by the presence of the high pressure. It’s likely to be drier than normal across the east and southeast of the country with near normal conditions elsewhere, but wetter than normal in parts of north Connacht and west Ulster. Temperatures will likely be near normal, but will trend slightly above in coastal regions of the west and south.
Week 2 (Monday December 23 to Sunday December 29)
A reasonably robust signal emerges for Week 2 with high pressure likely to be centred just to the southwest of Ireland. Temperatures are predicted to be slightly above normal overall although, with high pressure, there is a possibility of colder/frostier nights and lingering mist and fog during the days. Anticyclonic gloom – generally cloudy conditions – might also be a feature though. The orientation of the high pressure is such that a northwesterly or variable airflow might dominate which would mean greater amounts of precipitation in the northwest. Wintry showers cannot therefore be ruled out. Slightly wetter than normal conditions are predicted for the northwest with drier that normal conditions in the south and east. Impactful weather such as stormy conditions look less likely through this period.
Week 3 (Monday December 30 to Sunday January 5)
The high pressure signal anchored to the west/southwest of the country is maintained into the start of the new year. Drier than normal conditions along with slightly above average temperatures are predicted. Much of the same conditions as week 2 are likely to feature. Mist and fog, some colder and frostier nights where clear skies occur. Sunny spells but also the chance of stubborn low cloud. Impactful weather such as stormy conditions look less likely.
Week 4 (Monday January 6 to Sunday January 12)
Still a broad, albeit weaker, signal for high pressure to dominate through the period. Generally drier than normal conditions and slightly above normal temperature are signalled. Northern parts may see more average rainfall, however.
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