‘Thundersnow’ could hit parts of Ireland as wintry weather moves in.
Met Eireann has issued a nationwide warning for “hazardous” conditions over the coming days, saying snow, sleet, hail, ice and isolated thunderstorms are all likely.
This means that Ireland could be in for a rare outbreak of ‘thundersnow’ which happens when thunderstorms - which are more common in summer months - form in wintry conditions.
When the weather is cold, the rain associated with a thunderstorm can fall as snow and therefore is called ‘thundersnow’.
‘Thundersnow’ is not meteorologically different to thunder in the summer, but rather than hail or rain, there is snow which can affect the acoustics of the thunder
In a Status Yellow alert issued on Wednesday, Met Eireann said there is a possibility that some of Ireland's snow showers could be accompanied by thunder.
The warning, which is in place from 4pm Thursday until 11am Friday, reads: “Scattered showers of hail, sleet and snow, and icy stretches, Thursday evening, Thursday night and Friday morning, will lead to hazardous travelling conditions in some parts.
“Showers will be most widespread in the west and north of the country where some accumulations are likely.
“Isolated thunderstorms will occur also.”
Temperatures are expected to plummet below freezing on Wednesday night, with the possibility of snow in Ulster.
An update on Met Eireann's website says: “Frost and ice will set in quickly after dark on Wednesday with temperatures dipping back to between 0C and -3C. However, as cloud thickens from the west and southerly winds strengthen the frost and ice will clear from most areas overnight as temperatures rise. A band of rain will reach the west coast soon after midnight, extending quickly eastwards and turning to sleet or snow for a short time in parts of Ulster.”
The worst day for snow this week is likely to be Thursday.
The national forecaster said: “Wet and windy to begin on Thursday, with outbreaks of rain clearing eastwards during the morning, followed by sunny spells and frequent blustery showers, some heavy with hail and isolated thunderstorms.
“Showers will turn increasingly wintry as the day progresses as colder air pushes in from the Atlantic, with falls of sleet or snow occurring in some areas by evening, mainly across the western half of the country.
“Afternoon highs of 4C to 8C but turning colder by evening time, in a fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west wind.
“Cold and blustery overnight with widespread showers, many falling as sleet or snow. There is a possibility of hail and a few thunderstorms in Atlantic coastal counties.
“Minimum temperatures of 0C to 3C in fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds with gales on Atlantic coasts.”
It will be a cold start to Friday, with overnight snow and ice likely to create dangerous travelling conditions.
Met Eireann continued: “Fairly widespread showers on Friday morning, with some falls of sleet or snow initially and it will be icy in places. It will turn a little less cold as the day progresses with good sunny spells developing for the afternoon in the north and east. However, showery rain will move in across parts of the west and southwest.
“Maximum afternoon temperatures on Friday of 4C to 8C, coldest in the northeast in fresh and gusty westerly winds. On Friday night, outbreaks of rain will push across the country and it will turn less cold for a time. Some heavy falls of rain in the southwest and the west before dawn on Saturday with a risk of localised flooding.
“Overnight temperatures of around 6C to 9C.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, the Irish Meteorological Service said: “Rain will clear from the east quickly on Saturday morning and it will brighten up with good spells of winter sunshine. Scattered showers will follow from the west, some wintry with a possibility of hail and thunder.
"Turning colder during the day with afternoon highs of around 4C to 8C in fresh to strong west or northwest winds. Showers will become confined to western and northern counties on Saturday night with long dry periods elsewhere. A chilly night with minimum temperatures of 0C to 4C.
“A little uncertainty around the weather forecast for Sunday. However, current indications are for a spell of rain to push northeastwards across the country during the day. After a chilly start it will turn less cold with temperatures by late afternoon ranging 7C to 11C, coldest in the northeast.”
