December snowfall last year gave many Irish repairers a bumper start to 2011 and long-range forecasts are predicting similar weather patterns this winter.

Exacta Weather’s long-range forecaster James Madden says, “I expect to see the first signs of some moderate to heavy snowfalls as early as October or November in certain parts.” He added that frequent and prolonged cold spells with heavy dumps of snow from blizzard like conditions are likely throughout the winter in many areas.

Meanwhile weather experts at Netweather also predicted widespread snowfall as early as November.