Wintry conditions ahead as rain, hail and sleet predicted for rest of week

While this morning will be mostly cloudy with patchy drizzle and mist, by the afternoon persistent rain in the west and northwest will spread south-eastwards across the country.

And by tomorrow, freezing conditions will see frost developing in many areas, especially over the eastern half of the country, as lowest temperatures plummet to -1.

“Tonight will be cold and blustery with clear spells and showers, some heavy, especially in the west and northwest,” Met Eireann said. “Lowest temperatures (will be between) 4 and 8 degrees with fresh, gusty northwest winds.

“Wednesday will be cold and windy with sunny spells and occasional showers, some heavy or of hail. Highest temperatures (will be between) 6 and 10 degrees, but becoming colder through the afternoon and evening. Northwest winds will be fresh to strong and gusty.”

Wednesday night will be cold with showers of rain, hail or sleet and while they will mostly die out overnight, frost will develop in many areas, especially over the eastern half of the country.

Thursday morning will be dry with some sunshine and although in the afternoon, rain will develop in the west and then spread across the country through the evening.

Temperatures will hover between 4 and 8 degrees with moderate southerly winds. On Thursday night, rain will gradually clear to the southeast with scattered showers.

Friday will start off mainly dry and though “not by any means certain as yet”, there are indications that it may become wet and windy through the afternoon and evening with rain and strong winds spreading eastwards, possibly falling as sleet in places.

“Rain will be heaviest and winds strongest over the southern half of the country. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with fresh to strong variable winds,” Met Eireann adds.

The weekend will be a cold one too, with frost expected on Saturday night while Sunday will be cold and mainly dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 3 to 8 degrees

“Early next week will continue cold and unsettled with rain or showers, which will be wintry at times,” Mt Eireann noted.