Forecaster predicts 'colder than average' winter

A weather forecaster has today predicted a "colder than average" winter in Ireland this year.

There have already been snow falls on higher grounds in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Donegal this week.

Met Éireann said that the current conditions are only minor.

Authorities say they are well prepared to deal with any weather-related problems that could arise.

However Jim Dale from British Weather Services believes the early cold could be a signal of more to come.

"We do put out monthly and 90-day forecasts in British Weather Services for both Ireland and the UK," he said.

"We do see a colder than average winter, we do see that. Now that doesn't necessarily follow that we're going to see the depths of 2010 again."