Cold snap this week with some wintry showers

Weather update from Met Éireann

Very cold through the working week with widespread frost and ice leading to hazardous travelling conditions. Plenty of dry weather expected away from the north and northwest where wintry showers will be most frequent.

That's the latest weather outlook from Met Éireann

Frost and ice this morning, slow to clear and lingering in some sheltered areas through the day. Largely dry with spells of winter sunshine, however, scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow will occur, mainly in Ulster and the northwest though some showers may drift further south. Highest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees. Light, occasionally moderate, northwest winds will be fresher at first in the north and northeast

Becoming generally cloudy over Ulster, north Connacht and north Leinster with outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow moving in from the northwest. Drier and clearer further south with some fog or freezing fog patches developing. Lowest temperatures of -5 to 0 degrees, locally lower in the south. Light to moderate southwest to west winds will be fresher at times in the northwest

Frost and icy conditions tomorrow morning. Continuing generally cloudy over Ulster, north Connacht and north Leinster with outbreaks of rain in the morning, and some further falls of sleet or snow. Mostly dry elsewhere with spells of sunshine. The rain will become patchier through the afternoon and evening while drifting further south. Highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in mostly moderate southwest to west winds, fresh to strong at times in the northwest.

Patchy cloud along with some light rain and drizzle will affect the southern half of the country overnight on Tuesday. Long clear spells developing further north with isolated showers of rain, with sleet and snow possible near northern and northwestern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -4 to -1 degrees with a sharp to severe frost and icy stretches forming. A light northerly or variable breeze will also allow patches of fog or freezing fog to develop.

A bitterly cold day on Wednesday with frost, ice, fog and freezing fog at first leading to hazardous travelling conditions, slow to clear through the morning. Otherwise, a largely dry day with good spells of winter sunshine though scattered showers of sleet and snow will affect the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 4 degrees generally, not rising above freezing in some areas, in light northwest breezes.

Another very cold night overnight on Wednesday with widespread frost and icy stretches forming. Dry and clear for most but scattered showers of sleet and snow will mainly affect the north and northwest. Lowest temperatures of -5 to -2 degrees in mostly light northwest breezes.

A frosty or icy start to Thursday, followed by another very cold day with scattered wintry showers in the north and northwest. Generally dry and sunny elsewhere with just the odd stray shower possible. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwest to west breezes. Overnight temperatures generally falling between -5 and -2 degrees overnight.

Friday will see another very cold and bright start to the day with widespread frost and some icy stretches. Scattered showers will mainly affect Atlantic counties. Cloud will thicken from the west later in the day. Highest afternoon temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees. Light westerly breezes will back southerly, strengthening through the afternoon and evening.

Next weekend: An unsettled weekend but milder, as wet and breezy, possibly windy, weather moves over the country.