Deirdre O Meara 
According to satellite maps and Met Eireann forecasts, Cork and Munster could see a rare bout of spring snow on Monday, March 6th. While the duration of the cold snap remains uncertain, the latest European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) shows a chance of it lasting all week, with heating bills likely to rise again.
Weather expert, Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather, said “Latest charts rolling out and they show a blast of real cold air moving down from the North next week. How long it will last is uncertain but the latest ECMWF shows a chance of it lasting all week, mainly dry for Ireland at present.”
Met Eireann has warned that temperatures will plummet, and there is a “chance of any showers turning to sleet and snow, although currently, all indications suggest it will stay largely dry.”
Today, the weather will remain mainly dry, with “sunny spells and isolated light showers” and top temperatures of 8C. However, temperatures are expected to drop to -1C, and parts of Cork may experience a “touch of frost.”
Tomorrow (Friday) should begin dry with some “sunshine early on.” Later in the day, “some isolated light showers are expected.”
Over the weekend, both Saturday and Sunday will be mainly dry and cloudy, with an isolated light shower. Temperatures in the afternoon are expected to reach 6 or 7 degrees, with light northerly or variable breezes.
Saturday night and Sunday night will see temperatures drop to near freezing or slightly below, with light variable winds. On Monday, winds will become northerly and freshen, with scattered showers, some turning to sleet or snow on the hills and mountains. Daytime temperatures of 5 or 6 degrees are expected in the north, still 7 or 8 degrees further south.
Monday night will be very cold, with temperatures dropping well below freezing as colder air moves over the country from the north. Tuesday is expected to be even colder, with the chance of any showers turning to sleet and snow. However, currently, all indications suggest that it will remain largely dry.
The Irish public is advised to stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and take precautions as needed to stay safe during this cold snap.
