Ireland can expect more heavy snow this winter says Met Éireann boss

We can expect more heavy snow during the winter with climate change having an effect, according to Met Eireann’s Evelyn Cusack.

Speaking to the Independent following the launch of the government’s Be Winter Ready initiative today, the Met Eireann boss explained that heavier snow could be anticipated in the coming years.

"There is a chance of more snow even though the climate is warming up and that’s because there’s more moisture in the atmosphere," Ms Cusack said.

"There’s more evaporation because of the higher sea temperatures and then in winter, instead of rain, it turns to snow. So in fact, snow events could be heavier."

Ms Cusack said that because of the different weather conditions experienced in the past 12 months, she expects the public to take real notice this year.

"The message is prepare yourself for all eventualities and listen out for the warnings and the local forecasts as well," she said.

Asked if there was a fatigue around weather warnings due to the sheer volume of them, Ms Cusack said; "there is an idea of warning fatigue or yellow warning fatigue, but we only issue warnings when there are specific issues around".