LIVE: Ireland braces for 'coldest start to January since 2009' amid snow storm threat

Ireland is braced for a potential named storm and even heavy snow in the coldest start to January since 2009, according to one forecaster.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel made the prediction after monitoring weather models closely in recent days. 

He said: "It’s now increasingly likely that a disruptive winter storm with potentially damaging winds and heavy snowfall could well impact Ireland on New Year's Day. There remains a lot of uncertainty in the track and depth of this storm with two very different outcomes still possible.

"The first is for the low pressure to track a little further to the north, temporarily introducing milder air, with snow confined to Donegal and the north of Ulster, but with damaging winds likely across the country with the likelihood of high level weather warnings.

"The second outcome is for the low pressure to remain on a more southerly track, not quite deepening as much as if it took the northerly route, but introducing a greater risk of disruptive snow across a larger swathe of the country. Much depends on how much cold air intrudes ahead of the storm.

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"However, with the North Atlantic and Arctic Oscillations going negative, with the MJO in a phase 7/8 pattern, and with a possible displacement of the Polar Vortex, and a possible Sudden Stratospheric Warming event on the cards there is increasing confidence of a very cold spell of weather developing.

"Indeed the evening model runs continue to build on yesterdays signal that we are likely to see a very cold, but mostly dry spell of weather, but possibly the coldest start to January since way back in 2009. Could this develop into a memorable spell of cold wintry weather? There’s growing confidence that this could occur."

Meanwhile, Met Éireann too is forecasting a big change in our weather fortunes with their outlook for the coming days stating, "a spell of unsettled weather developing with wet and windy or very windy conditions before turning colder and more settled."

In their forecast for Sunday, they added: "Mostly dry today with a mix of cloud and some bright or sunny spells. Occasional patches of light rain or drizzle will occur, mainly in the north and parts of the west. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees and becoming a little breezier with moderate, occasionally fresh, southwest winds developing, strong at times near western and northwestern coasts.

"Largely dry tonight with a few spots of light rain or drizzle, mainly in the north and west with more persistent rain developing in the northwest coasts later. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees, coolest in the south and southeast. Southwest winds will mostly increase fresh, occasionally strong and gusty, reaching near gale force in western and northwestern coastal parts.

"Largely cloudy tomorrow [Monday] with outbreaks of rain developing for parts of Ulster and Connacht through the morning. Mostly dry elsewhere for the day with some bright or sunny spells and with just the odd shower possible. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds, reaching near gale force in western and northwestern coastal parts, decreasing mostly moderate to fresh later.

"A wet and rather windy night with showery outbreaks of rain extending eastwards over the country with some heavy falls possible. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds.

"Tuesday (New Year's Eve) will be rather windy for much of the day. Widespread rain at first, becoming confined mainly to Munster and south Leinster through the morning with hazy sunny spells and isolated showers developing over the northern half of the country. Cloud along with outbreaks of rain will then build from the southwest through the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds, stronger near western and northwestern coasts, before easing during the evening.

"Turning wet and windy overnight as rain continues to extend northeastwards, heavy in places, particularly in the north and west with spot flooding possible. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees over the northern half of the country, 5 to 9 degrees further south. Fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds will develop by morning.

"Wednesday (New Year's Day) will be a very windy day with strengthening southwesterly winds. Widespread heavy rain at first, clearing southeastwards from most areas through the morning and afternoon but with showery rain will persist in the north and west. Highest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees generally.

"Becoming mostly dry early in the night as winds ease northerly. Cold with lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with widespread frost and ice developing.

"Largely dry, sunny and cold with just a few light showers along north facing coasts and with cloudier conditions possible near the south coast [on Thursday]. Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees generally in mostly light northerly winds. Mostly dry, clear and cold overnight. Lowest temperatures of -4 to +1 degrees with widespread frosts."

Beyond that, Met Éireann say it will stay "cold, largely dry and bright for the rest of the week with widespread frosts developing during the nights, stubborn to clear some areas during the days."