Ireland is braced for an onslaught of more wintry weather after Met Eireann forecast an ominous change in conditions.
The country will enjoy a short break from the cold over the coming days before chilly Arctic winds bring subzero temperatures and wintry downpours later in the week.
In its latest weather overview, the national forecaster said: “Unsettled with wet and blustery conditions, milder overall, but there is the potential for colder chillier conditions at times later in the week.”
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It went on to pinpoint the exact date snow could fall, saying: “Wednesday will be a chilly but mostly cloudy night with showery outbreaks of rain, possibly turning wintry over higher ground.
“A few clear spells may develop in Ulster later in the night, where it will be coolest with lowest temperatures of 0C to 5C degrees generally as brisk westerly winds ease light and variable.”
It added: “The uncertainty increases from Thursday onwards.”
It comes as weather expert Alan O’Reilly shared a long-range weather map on his Carlow Weather Twitter account showing “colder air trying to return next week”.
Ahead of that, Ireland will enjoy a mild Sunday, however it will be overcast with some heavy rain in parts.
Met Eireann said: “Any frost and mist patches will quickly clear to leave a dry morning across most areas but cloud will gradually extend from the northwest with rain reaching northwestern coasts by the middle of the day.
“Overcast conditions and outbreaks of rain will then extend southeastwards across the country during the course of the afternoon and while parts of the southeast will see drier brighter conditions for much of the day, the dull and damp conditions will extend to all parts during the evening.
“Highest temperatures of 9C to 13C in mostly moderate westerly winds.
“A cloudy night with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. The rain will be heaviest and most persistent in western and northern Atlantic coastal counties.
“Not as cold as recent nights though, with lowest temperatures of 5C to 10C in moderate to fresh west to northwest winds.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, it continued: “Monday will be a fairly dull and blustery day overall with scattered outbreaks of rain or drizzle, most persistent in the north and west. Highest temperatures of 9C to 13C, in mostly fresh westerly winds.
“Mild and cloudy overnight with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, most persistent in northern areas. Lowest temperatures of 7C to 9C in moderate westerly winds.”
Tuesday’s set to be another mild day before the biting polar air is due to move down across Ireland.
The weather agency said: “Tuesday will be another mostly overcast day with rain likely in northern counties, and patchy light rain and drizzle elsewhere, while a more persistent band of rain will move into the west later in the day.
“Breezy at times in moderate to fresh westerly winds, backing southwesterly later in the day. Highest temperatures of 9C to 13C.
“The band of rain will extend across the country through the late evening with cooler showery conditions following from the west after. Lowest temperatures of 4C to 7C as winds veer westerly after the rain clears and ease mostly moderate.”
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