Temperatures set to drop to -4 as cold spell to hit this week

This week is set to end with a cold spell, with temperatures set to drop as low as minus four degrees.

Met Éireann has forecast that temperatures will drop to minus four on Friday night, in what will be a very cold, frosty and icy night.

Thursday will be wet for most and will turn breezy. Outbreaks of rain will continue, mainly over the northern half of the country. Further south, some bright or sunny spells will develop along with scattered showers.

Heavy falls are possible with a chance of spot flooding. Highest temperatures of three to nine degrees.

Thursday night will be cold with some frost and ice setting in, as northerly winds gradually ease. The lowest temperatures of minus three to two degrees.

Friday will start with frost and ice in parts to begin; overall dry though with spells of sunshine.

Isolated showers will occur, mainly for the eastern and northern fringes, with wintry showers.

Highest temperatures of just three to six degrees, in mostly moderate northerly winds. Friday night will be very cold and icy, with temperatures from minus four to plus one degrees.

Saturday will be dry but very cold with widespread frost and ice. Cloud will gradually build across the western half of the country during the afternoon with wet and rather windy conditions developing, extending eastwards later in the evening.

Highest temperatures of just four to seven degrees.

Saturday night will be wet and windy with a chance of wintry showers.