White Christmas 'now likely' as weather expert gives snow update for Ireland

One Irish meteorologist has confidently predicted a White Christmas for some parts of Ireland with the country braced for the "coldest spell of winter so far" this year.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel took to social media on Wednesday to tell followers that "there’s increasing confidence that during the run in to Christmas and over Christmas Day itself, Ireland will be held in the grip of a colder spell of weather, with snowfall likely in some areas."

"This change is likely to take place this day next week as a cold front pushes across the country from the northwest, introducing much colder air to its frequent wintry showers in some areas," Cathal added.

"At present this cold spell looks like persisting throughout the run in to Christmas and over Christmas Day itself with some falls of snow likely in the northwest, north and midlands in particular.

"Between now and then high pressure exerts a degree of control with temperatures likely to be above average, while rainfall will be below average though it won’t always be sunny, with variable cloud."

Meanwhile, Met Éireann's extended forecast offers less confidence on the forecast for Christmas.

In the week from December 18, they say a "strong zonal mainly westerly air-flow is expected to be in place across Ireland during Forecast Week 1 with high pressure positioned to the south of Ireland and low pressure to the north.

"Weather conditions will be mixed with drier than average conditions forecast in the east and south of the country whilst wetter than normal conditions are predicted across the west and north.

"Mean air temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal overall, but temporary cold incursions from the north and west are possible at times."

For the week from Christmas day onwards, their forecast say "there remains a strong signal for a mobile zonal, predominantly westerly air-flow to be in place across Ireland.

"At this stage, the weather is likely to become more unsettled with alternating periods of cold polar maritime air and mild sub-tropical air.

"Overall, mean air temperatures are forecast to be slightly above the December norm. Rainfall amounts are predicted to be above normal nationwide, with the highest rainfall totals expected across the western half of the country."