Time to dig out those wooly jumpers

The mini-summer weather conditions we’ve enjoyed over recent days are to come to a crashing halt over the weekend.

Instead, freezing night-time temperatures are predicted for much of the country, with Met Eireann saying Sunday and Monday will be cold, but mainly dry, days.

Today will see outbreaks of rain becoming widespread throughout the afternoon and early evening, with highest temperatures between 13 and 16 degrees.

During the night, lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees are expected.

On Saturday, rain will push southeastwards and will be heavy at times. It will be much cooler with the clearance and afternoon temperatures will range between 9 or 11 degrees. Winds will become moderate to fresh northerly later in the day making it feel colder.

Saturday night will be mainly dry and clear in the midlands but temperatures could fall as low as between 1 and 3 degrees.

Sunday will be a cold day and although many places will stay dry, there will be showers. Afternoon temperatures will be only 9 or 10 degrees at best. With the added wind chill factor it will feel very cold and Sunday night will be colder still with temperatures well below freezing nationwide.

Monday currently looks like being the coldest of the coming days, with moderate to fresh westerly winds and widespread heavy showers, turning wintry along the western half of the country. Temperatures again below freezing overnight

Looking ahead, Met Eireann says the weather will remain unsettled with temperatures well down on the normal for the time of year.