Winter is coming: Snowy blasts on the way for Ireland from mid-December

Ireland is set be plunged into an Arctic freeze from mid-December, as forecasters predict “the coldest and snowiest spell in some years”.

Following the havoc wreaked by Storm Clodagh over the weekend, meteorologists have now warned householders to prepare for plummeting mercury levels and heavy snowfall during the festive season, with three significant wintry spells beginning from the middle of the month.

James Madden, forecaster with Exacta Weather, said: “Despite the relatively mild autumn weather in Ireland, the start to the meteorological winter and December is likely to be much more seasonal.