Ireland is all set for a white Christmas due to “prolonged bouts of cold air” set to hit northern Europe.
The weather in Ireland is set to take a wintry turn in the coming days due to the arrival of a northern airflow.
Met Eireann is forecasting freezing conditions and the possibility of frost in some areas this week.
The annual forecast from Accuweather, has also predicted plenty of snow and freezing conditions for the Emerald Isle.
Due to a complex weather pattern known as the La Niña phase, there will be increased opportunity for snow showers across the country – especially later in the season – as well as bitterly cold easterly winds.
There aren’t any major storms forecast this winter in Ireland, but accumulations of snow are expected in certain areas.
A spokesperson from the forecaster says: “Snow is not necessarily going to come from any individual big storm, but there will be frequent batches of light to moderate snow that can produce a bit of accumulation.
As the second half of the season arrives, the predominant wind direction will switch across northwestern Europe and become more easterly in nature.
“Since the core of cold air across the European continent is forecast to set up over the east, an easterly wind will be able to transport that chilly air farther to the west.”
Temperatures during the second half of winter will be around average, dropping to below-normal levels in some regions.
The meteorological winter begins on December 1, and the astronomical winter will get underway on December 21.
As for November, Met Eireann has predicted signs for low pressure to be the main trend throughout the first week.
“It will likely continue to be unsettled overall. Temperatures are likely to be average, with normal or slightly above normal rainfall.”
From November 5 to 11, there is no strong signal for either low pressure or high pressure to be dominant.
Temperatures will likely be average, and there are signs that rainfall to be below average to average for most of the country.
From Friday, November 12 to Thursday, November 18, high pressure is expected to be dominant to the southeast of Ireland with lower pressure trending to the southwest of Ireland.
A mainly southerly airflow will be introduced across Ireland bringing some unsettled conditions at times.
Temperatures are due to be normal or slightly above normal, with wetter than normal conditions expected across much of the country.