Ireland Cold Spell Discussion:

[cold snap]

Light covering here this morning in dublin cc.long live cold snap -4 at present.

Back to work today.joys of life.

Edited January 4, 2010 by cold snap

[stormforce 10]

very cold and very frosty.outside temp -5.8c after an overnight low of -8.2c.

[frostyjoe]

light-medium covering here about 2cm

temp -4.3c

max forecasted is 2c dont know how we are going to get this when it is cloudy and snowy ...

tonight there is another band coming down from scotland a more heavier one and board.ie say people can get upto 15cm!

[stormforce 10]

a lot of cloud pushing down from my north now.

[Matty M]

Band of sleet/snow will push south across the country between midnight and 6am with 3cm widely across the country

and upto 10cm in places.

The tomorrow UKMO meso consisently wants to form a polar low type feature to the west of Scotland and pushes

it south across the country, the track of where it goes isn't exactly firmed up, last night it went to the west

this morning to the east and now down the middle.

All ingredients are offered to the west of Scotland for the formation of a polar low.

Exciting times ahead.

[mt-leinster-snow-drifts]

Very cloudy and cold here now , I am hoping the GFS has got it right with this chart:

How likely is it that this much percipitation will make all the way to the south coast?

[SnowJon]

The tomorrow UKMO meso consisently wants to form a polar low type feature to the west of Scotland and pushes

it south across the country, the track of where it goes isn't exactly firmed up, last night it went to the west

this morning to the east and now down the middle.

All ingredients are offered to the west of Scotland for the formation of a polar low.

Exciting times ahead.

YES - have a look at the latest FAX for 6am tomorrow - that occlusion looks very good for Northern Ireland:

http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/ukmo2.php?ech=24&carte=2000

[SnowJon]

Latest warnings from the Met Office looking interesting:

Overnight rain, sleet and snow will clear southwards early Tuesday and as temperatures fall, widespread ice is likely to form on untreated roads and paths. Further heavy snowfall may then develop across Northern Ireland. :lol:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ni/ni_forecast_warnings.html

[stormforce 10]

its snowing on and off here. snow showers seem to be getting quite far inland. outside temp -0.1c.

[stormforce 10]

its snowing heavy here. settling very well.

[fear sneachta]

its snowing heavy here. settling very well.

That's interesting, because it's not being picked up on the radar:

http://www.met.ie/la...nfall_radar.asp

Meanwhile, Met Eireann is saying that the rest of the week will be cold but mostly dry, with the exception of tonight and tomorrow.

The cold, but mainly dry weather, will continue through the rest of the week and over next weekend, across the whole country. There will be further severe frosts at night, and ice on untreated surfaces, some fog patches possible at times too. Daytime temperatures will be in low single figures at best, despite some winter sunshine, with frost and ice slow to clear. Tuesday night will be very cold with temperatures well below freezing in many places, and possibly as low as -7 or -8 C., in a few sheltered areas. Frost will be severe with icy surfaces. A few wintry showers are also possible at times, on eastern and northern coasts, but most parts of the country should be dry. Wednesday will be very cold and breezy with a fresh and gusty northeast to northerly breeze. Frost and ice will linger in places, despite some sunny spells. Most places dry, but some wintry showers are possible in places close to the east and north coasts once again. Very cold, frosty and icy overnight and for a time on Thursday. Most places dry and bright on Thursday with some weak winter sunshine, but there is a risk that a spell of rain sleet and some snow may affect the Atlantic Seaboard. Most of the showers look set to disappear for Friday and next weekend, with just a few possible on eastern and northern coasts, but the days and nights will stay as cold and frosty as ever.

Edited January 4, 2010 by fear sneachta

[stormforce 10]

it was snowing heavy for 10 minutes or so, got a good covering. outside temp -0.2c, very cold.

[mac_]

Update from BBC:

Published at 09:00 on 4th January

All times are GMT (Europe/London, GMT+0000)

(Next update at 09:00 on 11th January)

Written by Elizabeth Saary

Summary

Staying very cold

December was a particularly cold month with temperatures below average in most areas. It now looks as though much of January will continue in the same vein with harsh frosts and further heavy snowfalls.

[fear sneachta]

Update from BBC:

Published at 09:00 on 4th January

All times are GMT (Europe/London, GMT+0000)

(Next update at 09:00 on 11th January)

Written by Elizabeth Saary

Summary

Staying very cold

December was a particularly cold month with temperatures below average in most areas. It now looks as though much of January will continue in the same vein with harsh frosts and further heavy snowfalls.

The devil is very much in the detail. I wonder if NI/Ireland will be seeing any of the snowfall she refers to or will it mainly be eastern England & perhaps Scotland?

I still think Ireland will see mostly dry weather until the 3rd week of January, when less cold temps push in with rain.

Published at 09:00 on 4th January

All times are GMT (Europe/London, GMT+0000)

(Next update at 09:00 on 11th January)

Written by Elizabeth Saary

Summary

Staying very cold

December was a particularly cold month with temperatures below average in most areas. It now looks as though much of January will continue in the same vein with harsh frosts and further heavy snowfalls.

Monday 4 January 2010 to Sunday 10 January 2010

More snow

Areas of sleet and snow will drift southwards across the UK during the first part of the week. At first, the most significant snowfalls are likely to be in Scotland and over the higher ground of northern England.

However, later in the week, the risk for more prolonged, heavy snowfall lies across many eastern and southeastern parts of the UK so we can expect some problems here with significant accumulations of snow likely to lead to some disruption.

Throughout the week, temperatures will remain well below the seasonal average with severe night frosts and daytime highs often remaining below freezing. Ice will continue to be a major hazard anywhere that rain, sleet or snow has fallen.

On the plus side, when it is not snowing, the air will be clean and clear with bright sunny spells, especially in more western areas.

Monday 11 January 2010 to Sunday 17 January 2010

Cold but often dry

High pressure to the west of the UK will maintain the northerly winds and intense cold for much of this period.

Some further snow showers can be expected, again mainly in northern and eastern areas but many inland areas are likely to remain mostly dry, with the best sunshine towards the west.

Monday 18 January 2010 to Sunday 31 January 2010

Little change at first

It will remain cold for the rest of January although there is a hint that temperatures may recover slightly towards the south and west eventually.

The weather will turn increasingly unsettled which may result in some further prolonged snowfalls - the west being more at risk during this time, although as temperatures pick up, southern parts could be more likely to see rain towards the end of the month.

[Altohumorous]

"Intense cold" I love that, haven't heard the likes since about 20 years.

The rain/sleet showers from the trough(s) on saturday evening here was disappointing considering the flow and the very recent previous snow, I'm afraid that will happen again tonight with this first frontal system

That occlusion/short wave/polar low-type feature is interesting. Those things have often lets us down in spectacular fashion but in this set-up the potential is very much there for something exciting. Alot now depends on the ability of the overall system to maintain instability, intensity and penetration south/westwards. Everything else (the exact track etc) is pure chance of course.

Most recent UKMO precipitation predictions indicating a possibility of up to 20cm in north and east Ireland. I'm sure it won't happen even nearly like that, but even a quarter of it would be fantastic.

On another note, how long will local authorities and residential management companies allow packed ice just to lie across paths and roads (other than primary roads)? You could argue that local residents should get out and clear, but that's very difficult with packed and re-inforced ice. If it snows again I think folks should get together and get out digging, because it looks like the powers that be are hiding and just hoping it will all go away quick. According to just about all forecasts, that's not going to happen for a week or longer

[jello]

Weather Advisory

Updated 09:00 04/01/2010

Valid 04/01/2010

Possible heavy snow

Snow showers may affect parts of Northern Ireland today. 2 - 3 cm is possible in some areas. Temporary Travel disruption is likely.

Further updates will be issued this afternoon and evening unless surpassed by flash or severe warnings.

Weather Advisory

Issued 13:00 04/01/2010

Valid 05/01/2010

Heavy Snow

Heavy snow is likely to affect parts of Northern Ireland overnight and tomorrow morning. Some places may receive in excess of 10 cm causing travel disruption for the rush hour.

Further updates will be issued this afternoon and evening unless surpassed by flash or severe warnings.

[Altohumorous]

Be warned, this whole system tomorrow is becoming very messy-looking in latest charts, getting progged further west and pulling North Sea origin air towards us, with the Arctic Air plunge ending up pushed towards the West of Ireland and the Atlantic. This means a risk of rain and sleet in places, rather than the snow that looked nailed on up to now (in the event of any precipitation)

We really need the Arctic air to stay far enough east to be mixed in enough with the low/fronts/oclusions. Of course we need the latter to be far enough west to give decent precipitation, so it's all a delicate balance as ever!

North and Northwest and West of Ireland now looking the more definite for snow, and the midlands and south. East looking marginal regards rain/sleet or snow, certainly the coast

Edited January 4, 2010 by Altohumorous

[fear sneachta]

"Intense cold" I love that, haven't heard the likes since about 20 years.

The rain/sleet showers from the trough(s) on saturday evening here was disappointing considering the flow and the very recent previous snow, I'm afraid that will happen again tonight with this first frontal system

That occlusion/short wave/polar low-type feature is interesting. Those things have often lets us down in spectacular fashion but in this set-up the potential is very much there for something exciting. Alot now depends on the ability of the overall system to maintain instability, intensity and penetration south/westwards. Everything else (the exact track etc) is pure chance of course.

Most recent UKMO precipitation predictions indicating a possibility of up to 20cm in north and east Ireland. I'm sure it won't happen even nearly like that, but even a quarter of it would be fantastic.

On another note, how long will local authorities and residential management companies allow packed ice just to lie across paths and roads (other than primary roads)? You could argue that local residents should get out and clear, but that's very difficult with packed and re-inforced ice. If it snows again I think folks should get together and get out digging, because it looks like the powers that be are hiding and just hoping it will all go away quick. According to just about all forecasts, that's not going to happen for a week or longer

I think the authorities are doing the best they can. They come in for too much stick altogether.

[kippure]

A few from today

[BIG LAD]

the front due to push down seems incredibly slow. clears skies here today but 20 miles north there is thick cloud with light sleet/snow flurries. returned home this evening and still clear, seems cloud hasnt moved all day. temp under cloud in clogher valley 2c. back in monaghan town under clear skies 0c.

A few from today

smashing pics there. where are they taken and what kind of altitude?

[Baltic Regions]

Official figures from the Met office show December as the coldest since 1981 for NI!!!

Belt of wintery stuff hitting the north coast now!

Can anyone confirm how its doing up there?

Frosty??

Edited January 4, 2010 by Baltic Regions

[kippure]

the front due to push down seems incredibly slow. clears skies here today but 20 miles north there is thick cloud with light sleet/snow flurries. returned home this evening and still clear, seems cloud hasnt moved all day. temp under cloud in clogher valley 2c. back in monaghan town under clear skies 0c.

smashing pics there. where are they taken and what kind of altitude?

I think 250 metres approx. Dublin wicklow border, killikee road

[The watcher]

Looks like the showers are falling as Snow in the East and rain in the West at the moment, according to Raintoday radar.

[stormforce 10]

very cold and frosty, with a snow cover on the ground. outside temp -2.6c. :lol:

[mac_]

Showers building right across the north coast and moving south.

More of a concern is the temp - hovering just above 0C. Very marginal for snow on low ground.

Hope I'm wrong!