Ireland's temperatures are set to take a nose dive in just a few days time with Met Eireann forecasting a week of freezing conditions.
The weather is expected to take a turn on Monday night with temperatures falling to or below zero for the first of what looks to be three consecutive nights.
However there is no indication currently that this cold weather will translate into any snowfall, or any significant snow at least.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "On Monday morning, rain will linger in the southeast for a time, but will clear by early afternoon. Brighter weather further west will extend to all areas along with a few showers. Highest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees with moderate westerly breezes.
"Monday night will be dry and calm as high pressure builds over the country. It will be cold with frost and icy patches as temperatures fall to between -2 and +2 degrees. Some mist and fog patches will form too.
"Tuesday will be dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with light variable or easterly breezes. Tuesday night will be cold and dry with frost and patches of mist or fog. Cloud will increase in the south overnight. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +2 degrees.
"Wednesday will start off dry in many areas. However, outbreaks of rain and drizzle will effect parts of the south and east and during the evening, rain will move in from the wets. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with moderate east to southeast breezes. On Wednesday night, rain will spread eastwards across the country and clear by morning. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees."
Before that, another windy weekend is in store but there is expected to be plenty of dry weather.
The forecaster added: "Today will mostly cloudy and quite windy with a good deal of dry weather and some patchy light rain or drizzle, mainly in southern and western coastal counties. There will be brighter intervals at times too. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with fresh to strong southerly winds.
"Tonight will mostly cloudy. Rain will become persistent in the west and will spread eastwards overnight. Parts of north Leinster and east Ulster will stay mostly dry. Fresh southerly winds will ease overnight. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 6 degrees, coldest in the west.
"Sunday morning will be cloudy and damp over Leinster and Ulster with rain and drizzle, which will clear in the afternoon. Munster and Connacht will be brighter with sunny spells. However, rain will develop in the west by early evening and then spread eastwards. Light to moderate southerly winds will strengthen in the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees."
