Early winter cold spell on the way to NI

A cold snap is on the way to Northern Ireland.

Temperatures will go from being about four degrees above average to four degrees or less below average by the beginning of next week.

At this stage, no weather warnings have been issued for the island of Ireland either by the Met Office or Met Éireann.

But the Met Office said: "There’s a major change in the weather from this weekend, as an early winter cold spell arrives bringing the potential for disruption for some next week."

Over the weekend it will gradually turn colder and feel more wintry by Sunday.

Low pressure moves in to bring more unsettled weather from Sunday with a plunge of cold air originating near the Arctic.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks explained: “A notable early winter cold spell will arrive across the north from Sunday and will likely reach all parts of the UK by midweek.

“Temperatures will drop as a northerly airflow develops, bringing in colder Arctic air. This introduces the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard.”

Other winter hazards will include frost, ice and a wind chill.

Although the air will certainly be cold enough for snow by next week, the details of where sleet and snow will fall and how much is still very uncertain.

The change in the weather will come as a shock as most of November, so far, has been relatively mild and officially the meteorological winter season does not start until 1 December.

It is advisable to stay updated with the forecast as weather warnings may be issued in the next few days.