Forecasters are predicting that we in for the coldest winter on record, with some saying we could be colder than 2010.
It is understood that we could face facing sub-zero temperatures, polar gales and heavy snowfall as the country plunges into a winter Arctic freeze. Forecasters have warned that mercury levels will significantly fall throughout November, causing a sharp cold spell on the lead up to Christmas and we will have an even more bitter spell throughout January.
Meteorologists say the combination of unusually-high Siberian snow cover this month, recent solar activity levels and volcanic emission patterns in Iceland all point to a harsh winter ahead.The severest spells of cold are believed to occur between December and January.
According to James Madden, forecaster with Exacta Weather, December could be as bitter as four years ago, the coldest in over 100 years in Ireland. Whilst January could turn out to out to be one of the worst winter months on record. Mr Madden said: “As we progress throughout November, it is going to become gradually colder across many parts of Ireland, in particular from around the mid-month point when it is likely to become exceptionally cold at times. “This early start to what is likely to be a harsh winter is also likely to be accompanied by a number of potentially widespread snow events within this period and into the start of December.
He went onto say: “The parts most at risk of experiencing snow within this period will be to the north and east of Ireland and some of this cold could prove to be quite significant at times, even across some much lower levels of the country.”