VALID FROM 1800HRS, SUNDAY, 10 MARCH, 2013
UNTIL 1800HRS, TUESDAY, 12 MARCH, 2013
There
has been a slight upgrade in the model consensus for the potential of
significant snowfalls Sunday night and Monday and the chances are
probably at least 70% for accumulations (in the range of 5-15 cm mainly)
over large parts of Ulster and Leinster, accompanied by gusty northeast
winds in the range of 50-80 km/hr and bitterly cold temperatures
falling to about -1 C.
The
chances for the south coast are also fairly high and part of the
potential there would be interaction between the cold air mass and the
low off to the south (see below map), but also the activity from Leinster could spill
over into parts of Munster as the winds will be strong enough to advect
the snow possibly as far as Limerick to Cork, more definitely as far as
Tipperary and Waterford.
 |
Forecast chart valid @ 11 Mar-2013 00 UTC. Image c/o ogimet.com |
The northwest is also included in the
snow-watch as wind directions there will be fairly close to an ideal NNE
by later Monday especially, so in fact the only regions less likely to
see snow would probably be around Galway Bay and Kerry-coastal Clare.
And these areas could see passing snow showers by Tuesday as winds come
around to a more favourable (for them) NW direction.
The rest of
the week then looks more settled and continuing rather cold although
the days will warm up somewhat under the strong March sun to values
around 5-7 C. The following weekend still looks cold and wet with the
potential for rain to turn to snow as a reinforcement of arctic air
begins to develop during the passage of the storm system currently
affecting New England but centered well off to the south (almost due
north of Bermuda now).
According to TMT Senior Forecaster Peter O'Donnell: "That situation is far from settled at this stage
and if the colder air "digs in" during the week to come, that storm
might have a hard time lifting enough warm air to change the temperature
enough to prevent another snowfall, but in the meantime, I have growing
confidence in the outlook for a relatively significant snow event developing
Sunday night and persisting through most of Monday, with the focus of
heaviest snow likely to shift south during the day although it may begin
with two separate events in east Ulster and south coast then begin to
merge the two, so those details are yet to be totally worked out."
"We
should stress the volatile nature of the situation as much colder air
will be rushing into the region and this is a more explosive pattern
than anything seen earlier in the recent winter season. There could be
thunder with some of the hail and snow during the transition later
Sunday and a continuing potential for thunder-snow in streamers on
Monday. However, there will likely be breaks between bursts of snow and
even some bright sunshine at times on Monday. Travel may become
difficult in Leinster and Ulster as well as some parts of the south. The
impacts will likely be less severe in the west but it will become
bitterly cold everywhere -- even the normally temperate outer coasts of
Kerry could see a bit of snow from this," he added.
The Meteo Times daily long range weather forecast contains
further details in relation to the coming week’s weather in Ireland. Click here to view.
USEFUL LINKS:
Find out what altitude you live at here
Tweets about "#irlsnow"
