Cold weekend ahead with some wintry falls possible

Weather update from Met Éireann

Continuing cold during the rest of the weekend and early next week before milder conditions return. That's the latest weather outlook from Met Éireann.

Breezy this morning with scattered showers, most frequent in the north but dying out by early afternoon, becoming largely dry and sunny for a time. Showery outbreaks of rain will spread from the west later in the afternoon and evening. Fresh and gusty westerly winds will also ease for a time in the afternoon before backing southwesterly and freshening again in the evening. Highest afternoon temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.

Outbreaks of rain will become widespread over the country through the night with heavy falls in places. A clearance to scattered showers will follow in from the west later as the rain clears eastwards by morning. Temperatures will fall between 1 to 4 degrees generally as the rain clears, in moderate to fresh southwest to west winds.

Sunny spells and blustery showers tomorrow, most frequent in the north and Atlantic coastal areas with some wintry falls possible on high ground. There is also the chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms, mainly near Atlantic coasts. Becoming windy as fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds develop, strongest in the north and northwest. Highest afternoon temperatures of just 4 to 7 degrees but feeling even colder due to the wind chill factor.

Cold on Saturday night and breezy at first with scattered showers, with some wintry falls possible on high ground. Driest and clearest overnight in the south and east. Fresh and gusty westerly winds will gradually ease in most areas through the night but will remain strong in the southwest. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees, with frost and icy stretches developing.

Sunday is forecast to be a cool, bright day with spells of sunshine and showers, with falls of sleet at times. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in mostly moderate west to northwest winds.

Becoming largely dry overnight on Sunday with just a few showers, mainly on northern and Atlantic coasts but turning very cold as temperatures widely fall to -3 or -4 degrees. Icy stretches will develop, especially on untreated roads and paths. Patches of freezing will also develop in mostly light westerly or variable breezes.

Another cool day is expected on Monday with sunny spells and showers, falling as sleet at times. There is the chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms, especially in the west and northwest. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light to moderate breezes, fresher in the southwest. Turning very cold again overnight as temperatures again fall to -3 or -4 degrees widely in mostly light breezes with some pockets of freezing fog developing.

Tuesday will be another cold day with sunshine and a good deal of dry weather though showers will continue to mainly affect northern and Atlantic coasts. Highest temperatures of 1 to 3 degrees in light to moderate north to northwest winds.

Further Outlook: Continuing unsettled with further spells of rain and showers. After another cold day and night on Wednesday, rain and milder conditions will move in from the west.