Ireland could be facing its worst winter for 50 years. The snow warning has been issued after a 500-strong flock of Bewick swans have migrated 2,500 miles from Arctic Russia to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.
The birds arrival is constantly used as a sign to say that winter has arrived. The last time the birds flew down this early, it was in October 1963, 52 years ago.
Their presence in the UK has led many experts to believe that western Europe, including Ireland and England are in store for a long, harsh winter including heavy snowfalls.
Meanwhile, Met Eireann have said that polar continental air will make this week feel very chilly. They are expecting ground frost in places but the weather will remain dry with frost.
Irish meteorology experts have said that although it’s impossible to predict an exact winter forecast, the migration of birds has been a major indicator of what type of winter to expect, and that winter 2015 looks to be along the lines of that of 1963.