NI snow: Met Office warning as 'cold and wintry spell' on the way

Nadia Breen

15 November 2024 at 9:22 am·2-min read

A frosty morning over Belfast - stock image — -Credit: (Image: Press Eye Ltd)

The Met Office say 'a cold and wintry spell is on the way' to the UK.

The forecaster says 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".

On Saturday, a band of rain moves south across most parts whilst conditions turn colder in the north, with the possibility of some hill snow, according to the Met Office.

By Sunday, low pressure moves in, with the start of "some unsettled and much colder weather".

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.”

Rebekah added: “There is a lot of uncertainty in what might happen after Sunday, but there are a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds. It is possible that there may be some more widespread snowfall across lower ground, but the chance of this for any given region is low at this stage. What we do know is that the whole of the UK is likely to experience a spell of several days of cold, potentially disruptive weather next week.

“Warnings for wintry hazards, including snow and ice, are possible, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast.”

For the specific Northern Ireland weather forecast for Saturday, November 16, the Met Office said: "Mainly dry with some bright or sunny spells, a few showers mainly in the north or near the Antrim coast. Feeling colder. Maximum temperature 9C."

And for the outlook for Sunday to Tuesday, the forecaster added: "Likely cloudy with showers or possibly prolonged and heavier rain on Sunday and Monday. Colder and showery on Tuesday, showers perhaps wintry at times."

Highest and lowest possible temperatures for the next few days in Belfast, according to the forecaster:

Saturday, November 16

Highest possible: 11C

Lowest possible: 2C

Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning.

Sunday, November 17

Highest possible: 13C

Lowest possible: 4C

Partly cloudy changing to light rain by lunchtime.

Monday. November 18

Highest possible: 17C

Lowest possible: -2C

Light rain.

Tuesday, November 19

Highest possible: 9C

Lowest possible: -3C

Light showers changing to partly cloudy in the afternoon.

Wednesday, November 20

Highest possible: 9C

Lowest possible: -1C

Cloudy.

Thursday, November 21

Highest possible: 8C

Lowest possible: -2C

Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning.

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Highest and lowest possible temperatures for the next few days in Belfast, according to the forecaster:

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