Ireland is braced for a return of wintry weather this weekend as an Arctic plume sends temperatures tumbling.
After a freezing start to March, temperatures warmed up over St Patrick’s weekend and the country has been enjoying reasonably mild weather in recent days.
But that’s set to change once again as another cold snap hits Ireland this weekend.
READ MORE: Ireland snow map shows areas set for flurries as Met Eireann pinpoint day freezing weather returns
Met Eireann says it will turn much colder during the second half of the weekend.
Temperatures could drop as low as -3C at times, with frost and ice patches forecast Sunday night into Monday morning.
The national forecaster said Saturday night will be “chilly” with lows of 2C to 5C in “fresher winds”.
For Sunday, it said: “Scattered showers with some sunny spells in a mostly light northerly breeze. Highs will range from 7C degrees in Ulster up to 13C in Munster.
“Lingering showers will die out early on Sunday night, becoming largely dry and clear, with very light winds. Turning cold and frosty where skies remain clear with lows of 0C to -3C. Some ice patches possible.”
Looking ahead to Monday, it continued: “Monday will be a mostly dry day. A cold start with frost and ice clearing in sunshine. It will turn cloudier during the day with possible isolated showers. Afternoon highs will reach around 9C to 12C for most, with light to moderate southerly winds.
“Overnight, a spell of rain will spread from the Atlantic to many areas as southerly winds freshen. Overnight lows of 5C to 8C.”
The weather is forecast to make another U-turn from Tuesday with the rest of next week “looking to be mild, breezy and wet”. Hail and thunderstorms are also possible and a weather warning is in place.
Met Eireann’s Status Yellow wind warning affects Clare and Galway until 5pm Friday.
It reads: “Very strong and gusty southwest to west winds on Friday leading to some coastal flooding.”
Giving its overall forecast for tonight and tomorrow, it said: “Friday afternoon and evening will be windy with sunshine and showers, many of them heavy and a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Fresh to strong, gusty west to southwest winds will be strongest in the west with gales on coasts. Some coastal flooding possible around high tides. Highest temperatures of 8C to 12C.
“Strong westerly winds will gradually ease moderate to fresh overnight. Showers will become less frequent with long clear spells developing overnight. Lowest temperatures of 4C to 7C.
“Saturday will bring hazy spells of sunshine along with scattered showers. It will be cloudier in the south with a chance of rain moving into the southwest during the evening. Highest temperatures of 10C to 13C. Moderate westerly breezes will ease light in the afternoon.”
A brief cold blast is forecast to begin on Saturday night.
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