Weather alert: Frost, sleet and snow

We can prepare for frost, sleet and snow is over the next few days, according to Met Éireann.

Showery rain will develop near western coasts during this afternoon (Monday) with some sleet or wet snow this evening inland in western counties. Highest afternoon temperatures of 3 or 4 degrees C. in most areas, about 6 or 7 degrees C. on parts of the west coast.

Tonight will be very cold and frosty and icy. Showery rain will occur on western and northern coasts overnight, with snow showers expected inland, these mostly affecting parts of Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. Minimum temperatures 0 to minus 5 Celsius with the risk of some freezing fog patches in some eastern areas

Tomorrow, Tuesday will be cold and wintry in places in the morning with widespread frost and ice. A mix of hail, sleet and snow showers in places, but these will become confined to western and northern coastal areas in the afternoon and will be mostly of rain or sleet, with better sunny spells developing. Maximum temperatures 2 to 4 Celsius, generally, about 5 or 6 on Atlantic coasts. Moderate northerly breezes for many, but winds will be fresh and gusty on western and northern coasts.

On Tuesday night, most areas will be dry, with clear intervals, but a few scattered wintry showers will occur, mainly along northern and eastern coasts. IT will be very cold and frosty, with a risk of icy patches – min. 0 to minus 4 C, in a light to moderate northerly wind.

Wednesday will be very cold, but mainly dry, with sunny spells. A few showers may occur on north and northwest coasts; max. 3 to 7 C, with light northerly breezes. There will be widespread frost on Wednesday night, but less cold on northwest coasts, with rain and sleet developing, spreading further inland, with the risk of a few patches of sleet or snow.

It is to remain cold for the rest of the week.

Road users have been advised to exercise particular care in the wintery conditions, with motorists urged to drive slowly.