‘Thundersnow’ could hit parts of Ireland as wintry weather moves in.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning and said ice, snow, frost, sleet, thunderstorms, freezing temperatures and wind chill are all likely over the coming days.
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
The snow/ice alert is in place for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo from 5pm Wednesday until 11am Thursday, with Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry also under a Met Office alert for snow.
In its latest forecast for Wednesday, Met Eireann said there is a possibility that some of Ireland’s snow showers could be accompanied by thunder.
“Cold and blustery on Wednesday with scattered wintry showers. Frost and ice too.
“Scattered showers will continue this evening, most frequent across Connacht and Ulster the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Showers will turn increasingly wintry with freshening westerly breezes
“Raw tonight with clear spells and further scattered wintry showers. Sleet and snow showers will mainly affect the northwest. Isolated thunderstorms are possible here too.
“Lowest temperatures of -1C to 2C, in brisk westerly winds. Frost and icy patches forming, especially for sheltered parts.
Motorists are being urged to take extra care on the roads overnight and into Thursday morning due to frost, ice, sleet and snow.
The wintry weather is set to continue into Friday before turning milder for the weekend.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, Met Eireann said temperatures could plummet as low as -3C on Thursday night.
A forecaster said: “A raw start to Thursday with some frost and ice. Some sleet and snow showers too, mainly across the northwest.
“Sunny spells and scattered showers will continue through the day, some heavy or thundery with possible hail. Showers will be most frequent in Connacht and Ulster where some will continue to fall as sleet or possibly snow, mainly on hills.
“Highest temperatures of just 4C to 7C degrees with fresh and gusty northwest winds, making for an added wind chill factor.
“A cold, clear night on Thursday with a few initial showers quickly dying out, becoming largely dry. Cloud will increase from the west towards dawn. Calm, with winds falling light and variable, becoming southerly near dawn.
“Lowest temperatures of -3C to 1C with a sharp frost setting in and some icy stretches forming.”
Temperatures are due to improve slightly on Friday.
The National Forecaster said: “A cold morning with frost and ice slowly clearing. Dry in many areas at first with a few bright spells early on. Becoming cloudier with drizzle developing on Atlantic coasts.
“Outbreaks of rain will spread from the west through the afternoon and evening. Turning windy too, with southerly winds increasing fresh to strong, reaching near gale force on Atlantic coasts.
“Highest temperatures of 5C to 8C degrees, coolest in Ulster.
“A wet and windy night with fresh to strong southerly winds and widespread outbreaks of rain. Lowest temperatures of 4C to 8C with southerly winds easing mostly moderate near dawn.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Met Eireann continued: “Saturday will be breezy and mostly cloudy with frequent showers or longer spells of rain. Highest temperatures of 8C to 11C degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds.
“Outbreaks of rain will continue overnight, possibly turning heavy in places. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 6C
“There will be further showers on Sunday, with some bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C with moderate to fresh westerly winds.”
