Beast from East
Cold & wintry weather returns.. but it won’t be as bad
ANOTHER Arctic blast is on its way, bringing snow and freezing temperatures just in time for St Patrick’s Day.
Like the Beast from the East’ this cold front also comes from Siberia.
Luckily, forecasters don’t think the chilly snap will have the same intensity as the Beast or Storm Emma, which joined forces to grind Ireland to a halt.
But temperatures will be well below spring averages, with daytime highs of just 1C and snow showers.
Before the colder air grips Ireland, heavy rain and blustery winds are set to sweep Ireland.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for 11 counties today.
It said more than 50mm of rain could dump down leading to spot flooding in parts.
Issuing the warning, a forecaster added: “A spell of rain on Wednesday will lead to accumulations of 30mm to 50mm with a risk of localized flooding.
“There is the potential for higher accumulations in mountainous areas.” The alert is in place until midnight tonight and the following counties are affected – Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
There could be a brief interlude from the showers later, with temperatures climbing tomorrow and Friday. Met Eireann said: “There will be a few bright spells on Thursday with showery outbreaks and temperatures of 9C to 12C. “Persistent in parts of Munster and Connacht with a few heavy bursts possible, but more scattered elsewhere. Friday will see a mix of cloud Storm gets closer and bright spells, with scattered showers and maximum temperatures of 7C to 11C.”
There will be a big change in the weather this weekend as the cold snap grips Ireland.
A forecaster added: “St Patrick’s weekend will be very cold. Saturday will be dry with bright spells in many areas, but scattered snow showers will occur, mainly in eastern coastal counties and along the south coast. Some of the showers will be of rain or sleet, but some snow showers will occur also becoming more frequent along east and south east coasts later.
“It’ll be breezy with moderate to fresh easterly winds and maximum temperatures will range from just 1C or 2C in the north and east to 5C or 6C along west and southwest coasts.”
Amount of rain that could fall in some counties today