The weather event that caused the Beast of Eastern Ireland in 2018 to be forecast in the coming days

The weather event that was responsible for the Beast from the East of Ireland in 2018 is predicted to occur again in the next few days.

Meteorological experts predict a sudden stratospheric warming in the next week: this is an event that takes place 10-50 km up in the stratosphere.

Most of the time (66% of the time), this increases the risk of colder than normal weather 10-14 days later.

The occurrence increases the possibility of cold weather, it is by no means a guarantee. How cold it is and for how long depends on the high pressure position near or over Ireland.

Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said last week: “A sudden stratospheric warming event seems more likely now. As usual, the impact this will have on our climate remains to be seen.”

But the forecaster added on Saturday: “It is worth noting that most of the SSW events did NOT result in a cold snap for us and some of the colder winter events occurred WITHOUT SSW.”

However, it had a direct effect on the Great Freeze of Ireland in 2010 and the Beast from the Beast in 2018, which you may recall saw Ireland with a red warning from Met Eireann.

However, at this time it is likely that it will be at least 10 days or even closer to the end of the month before the consequences of the weather event are felt in Ireland.

Regardless of the possibility of a freeze period later in the month, cold conditions are already forecast for the next few days.

Met Eireann predicts temperatures will drop to -3 ° C Sunday night with sleet and even snow in the eastern counties.

Leinster and Munster can also expect some snow on Monday and temperatures are unlikely to rise more than 4 ° C during the day.