Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
PA Archive/PA Images
winter is coming
'No scientific grounds for weather scare stories. November looks boringly normal'
Met Eireann’s Gerald Fleming says it’s too early to tell if this winter will be severe.
WINTER IS WELL and truly upon us, but can we expect a harsh winter like last year?
Gerald Fleming from Met Eireann says it is too early to tell.
Speaking at the government launch of a new website ‘Be Winter Ready’ which aims to help people prepare for the winter weather ahead, Fleming said: “In weather as we’ve seen in another area today, predictions are not very dependable.”
He said that while some media outlets continue to speculate about next month’s weather, he said it’s not possible.
“You will all have seen stories in the media in the last few weeks, the what I call the annual Halloween scare stories about the hard winter, but that’s all they are.
“There are no scientific grounds for believing that the winter will be exceptionally harsh or will be windy or exceptionally wet,” said Fleming.
“I think every year we have to emphasise that the science of weather forecasting is such – in this part of the world – that forecasting a season ahead is really an impossible business.”
The rest of November looks “boringly normal,” he added.
More information on the ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign can be found on its website. You can keep up with updates on Twitter @emergencyIE #bewinterready
have your say