Cold snap set to return on Thursday

COLD and frosty weather is set to return from Thursday, according to Met. Eireann.

It will be a bitterly cold day with fresh, gusty north to northwest breezes and afternoon temperatures of just 3 to 6 degrees.

There'll be sunny spells and showers of rain, sleet and snow. The likelihood of snow will increase in the evening and Thursday night as temperatures fall to between -2 and +1 degrees. Frost and icy patches will develop also.

Friday will continue very cold with sunny spells and showers of rain, sleet and snow. Highest temperatures of just 3 to 6 degrees with moderate to fresh north to northwest winds.

On Friday night a sharp or severe frost will develop with icy patches as temperatures fall to between -3 and 0 degrees.

Saturday will be cold and mainly dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees Celsius, with light westerly winds gradually backing southerly.

At the moment, it looks like rain will spread from the west on Saturday night and there a risk that it may fall as snow for a time in some parts, as it meets the cold air, but it will turn to rain later.

There will be heavy rain in places early Sunday, clearing to showers during the day and the fresh and gusty southerly winds will veer northwest.

In the meantime, tomorrow (Tuesday) night will be mild, breezy and mostly cloudy with patchy drizzle and mist. Persistent rain will develop in the west by dawn. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.

On Wednesday morning, rain will spread eastwards across the country. It will continue for the rest of the day and on Wednesday night and will be heavy at times, especially on Wednesday night. It will clear overnight. Highest temperatures of 12 or 13 degrees with fresh to strong southerly winds, which will veer northwesterly as the rain clears.