Ireland is set for some wintry conditions as the week continues and temperatures drop to below zero.
Met Eireann has pinpointed the areas likely to see the worst of the weather as they forecast hail, sleet and snow to arrive later this week.
However, the wintry showers will not arrive until Thursday, with the country expected to see mainly patchy rain and drizzle before becoming breezy with strong winds at times near coasts.
Heavy rain will move into the northwest of Ireland early on Thursday morning before spreading southeastwards to all areas during the day.
It will become windier and may be squally at times as southwest winds increase fresh to strong and gusty with highs of 9 to 12 degrees, occurring early in the day.
The west will then see a change in weather as winds bring drier, clearer and colder spells.
Met Eireann has said: “Lingering rain will clear southern areas early in the night as clear spells develop. A cold night with lows of 0 to +4 degrees.
“Scattered showers will feed in from the northwest, some may be of hail or sleet, with snow possible on mountains in Ulster. Moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds.”
Things will remain cold on Friday, but there will be some sunny intervals throughout the day, providing a break from cold and breezy showers.
Ulster will see the worst of the conditions, with snow expected on higher ground as the day goes on.
A forecaster for Met Eireann said: “There will be some hail or sleet showers in the morning, mainly in Ulster.
“Showers will ease later in the day as westerly winds ease. Highs of 5 to 8 degrees.
“Currently it looks like it will become milder and cloudier again over the weekend with showers.
“Showers will mainly affect northern areas with drier weather further south. Breezy at times too, in a westerly airflow.”
