‘First genuine snow’ of year in Donegal, but no likelihood of widespread falls

The country’s “first genuine snow of the year” was said to have fallen in Co Donegal on Thursday, but, aside from some isolated areas on high ground, there will be no significant fall over the next couple of days.

It will be frosty at first this morning, and AA Roadwatch issued a warning to pedestrians and motorists to be wary of icy stretches on footpaths and untreated road surfaces. There will be another frost tonight.

Today, generally, will be another cold day, but it will remain bright in many parts. Met Éireann meteorologist John Eagleton said most places will be dry. There will be showers along the west coast and in the northwest, which may result in some “wintery falls of snow”.

‘The odd snowfall’

The country would “maybe get the odd snowfall here and there”, Mr Eagleton added. Temperatures will range from three to six degrees during the day. “You’d want to be moving around well wrapped up.”

The forecast is for a very cold and windy time of it, with showers in the west. It will be especially cold first thing in the east.

The showers will be mostly rain showers, but “you might get the odd little bit of snow on higher ground”, said Mr Eagleton. “Generally just a cold, wet, damp, showery weekend.” There will be winds today, but they won’t be as strong as those of the past number of days.

The winds will pick up again on Saturday and Sunday, but “not in any exceptional way”. Saturday night will be windier again, with more persistent rain spreading from the Atlantic, and fresh to strong southwesterly winds.

Slight rise

Temperatures will rise slightly on Sunday, and any snow will once again be limited to the north and northwest. “It’s not going to be a widespread problem,” said Mr Eagleton.

On Monday it will become wet and windy again, with rain spreading from the Atlantic, accompanied by fresh to strong southwesterly winds, but it will also become mild. Tuesday will be very windy, possibly stormy in places, with occasional rain, but very mild.

Meanwhile, retired Met Éireann forecaster Brendan Flanagan reported that the “first genuine snow of the year” had fallen on the Sliabh Sneacht mountain in Co Donegal.

“Sliabh Sneacht was dusted last year, but this is the first genuine snow of the year,” he said.