Errigal in all of its snow-capped glory at the weekend. Pic Pat McDermott for Donegal Daily
THE first snow of winter will hit Donegal by the middle of next week, say forecasters.
Cold air from the north will descend on the county on Monday, with the potential for significant snow falls on Wednesday, says Irish Weather Online.
Met Eireann forecasters however don’t use the ‘s’ word – but are predicting a “very cold” week with some “wintry showers.”
“Monday and Tuesday will become colder with moderate northwest winds, showers becoming wintry on higher ground in north, but also some sunny intervals, lows -3 to +2 C and highs 4-7 C,” said Peter O’Donnell at Irish Weather Online.
“Wednesday could be even colder with significant snowfalls developing in parts of the inland north and on higher ground elsewhere, highs only 2-5 C after morning lows near -3 to -1 C.
“It remains quite uncertain how cold it may actually get mid-week and also how long that degree of cold might then last. The average of all guidance would suggest some potential for snow by about Wednesday, and a very gradual warming trend thereafter.”
Donegal’s mountains have already had a dusting of winter snow.
And the forecast for the top of Errigal next Wednesday is for 4cms of snow – and a wind chill factor of -12C!