Just when Storm Clodagh left our shores, meteorologists have now warned the public to “prepare for
temperatures to plummet with heavy snowfall over the festive seasons starting from the middle of
December.
James Madden, forecaster with Exacta Weather, said: “Despite the relatively mild autumn weather in
Ireland, the start to the meteorological winter and December is likely to be much more seasonal.
“There are likely to be a number of quite potent wintry blasts in December that potentially bring the
coldest and snowiest spell in some years for Ireland, particularly for two periods around the mid-month
point and into the final third of the month and up to the New Year.
“The run-up to Christmas is therefore likely to see some significant changes to some exceptional cold
and widespread snow events for many parts of the country, as cold winds veer in from the north and
east.”
Mr Madden said there is a strong possibly of a white Christmas
He said: “Although we need to allow for some deviations in exact timing, there is every chance that
these conditions will arrive prior to Christmas.
“On current indications it could be worth a flutter for certain parts of the North and East to record a
single flake of snow within the 24 hours of Christmas Day – all that is required for White Christmas
bets to be paid out.
“Many parts to the north and east of the country are also likely to see lying snow on the ground for
several days at the very least within this period and these conditions will also spread to many other
parts of the country, including southern and western areas, as winter takes a firm stronghold.”
The weather forecaster concluded:
“the cold and snow is likely to become the more dominant feature throughout the remainder of winter due to a colossal area of cold winter in the north Atlantic and how it will intrinsically alter our weather patterns. January and February will drop to double digits negative.”
The Liberal would like to remind its readers to check on their elderly neighbours and to make provisions for all animals in the bad weather.