Weather models suggest that a cold easterly airflow could bring snow back to Ireland before the end of the month
08:26, 14 Jan 2026Updated 09:25, 14 Jan 2026
Beast from the East concerns(Image: )
Irish weather forecasters are keeping a close eye on a potential return of a ‘Beast from the East’ later this month amid concerns that a cold easterly airflow could affect parts of Ireland.
While we are over last week’s cold snap, a plunge in temperatures may not be too far away as the end of January could see the return of snow according to a number of weather experts.
Popular online forecaster Alan O’Reilly, who mans the @CarlowWeather account on X, has addressed concerns over a possible ‘Beast from the East’ towards the end of this month but acknowledged that weather models currently remain uncertain.
He posted: “Few messages asking about chances of a beast from the East, the GFS model in the long range has certainly thrown out some interesting charts but before anyone gets excited or worried the ensembles show is has very little support so chances remain low and ECM model very different!”
Met Eireann, meanwhile, has also highlighted the possible effects of an easterly airflow later this month.
The national forecaster has suggested that sleet or snow may potentially fall through the last week of January as we see out winter.
From January 26 on, the national forecaster expects that “a cool or cold easterly airflow is likely to dominate bringing below average temperatures across the country. Rain and showers will likely lead to above average precipitation amounts for eastern facing coastal counties, with more normal accumulations further inland and below average amounts in the west and northwest.
“Given the time of year and below average temperatures, there is the possibility of wintry precipitation at times.”
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.