Cold Snap and Potential Snow Forecast for Ireland as New Year Approaches

Cork is set for an increasingly cold spell over the coming week, with meteorologists warning of potential wintry precipitation, including snow, from as early as January 2nd across parts of Ireland.

Met Éireann's latest forecast shows high pressure will keep conditions largely settled through the New Year period, but temperatures are expected to drop significantly. Today, Sunday, will see cloudy conditions with temperatures reaching just 4 to 7 degrees, with drizzle possible near southern coasts.

The national forecaster predicts a frosty start to New Year's Eve on Wednesday, with some fog or freezing fog slow to clear. Temperatures will struggle to rise above 2 to 6 degrees despite sunny spells. New Year's Day itself will start cold before turning slightly milder, with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle spreading from the north.

Looking beyond the New Year celebrations, Met Éireann indicates conditions will turn colder again through the first week of January. While high pressure will keep many areas dry, showers may spread from the north with the potential for some wintry precipitation.

Cathal Nolan, from Ireland's Weather Channel, has provided a more detailed analysis of the developing cold spell:

"Both of the typical models that we would assume as the leaders, the GFS and the ECMWF, both indicate a cold spell developing from potentially as early as the end of the first, but certainly so by the second of January. And continuing on for quite a number of days, maybe a week or so thereafter."

According to Nolan's assessment, snow showers could arrive on the back of a cold northerly wind, commencing as early as the end of New Year's Day but more likely from January 2nd onwards.

Cathal explained the regional variations:

"The areas that would most likely encounter some wintry precipitation at this stage would be most likely across much of Ulster, into much of Connacht, and along the west coast of Munster as well. And potentially just skirting along the east coast of Leinster too."

He noted that coastal areas are likely to see a mixture of sleet or graupel (a form of hail), while inland areas could experience snow. Early model guidance suggests accumulations of five to seven centimetres wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility in affected areas.

For Cork and the majority of the country not experiencing wintry showers, conditions are expected to remain dry, bright but cold and crisp, with frosty conditions overnight.

A significant factor in the forecast is the position of high pressure. When it sits directly over Ireland around January 1st and 2nd, calm conditions with no wind are expected, which will allow temperatures to drop further overnight under clear skies. This also increases the likelihood of fog developing.

Cathal cautioned that detailed predictions remain uncertain:

"The accumulations, looking at them at this stage, would be very early days to talk about the depths and what areas specifically could see snow, to pinpoint that exactly."

Residents across Cork should monitor updated forecasts over the coming days as meteorologists refine their predictions for what could be the first significant cold spell and potential snow of the winter season.