Ireland is set for a weather U-turn within days as temperatures plummet in a bitter easterly breeze.
Met Eireann says temperatures will turn much colder later this week, with some possible frost and fog at times.
Saturday and Sunday have been pinpointed as the exact days the country will feel the chill, with daytime temperatures of just 4C to 7C forecast.
READ MORE: Ireland weather: ‘Beast from the East’ could unleash subzero freeze in days as alarm bells sound
It comes as some meteorologists in Britain have sounded alarm bells about the emergence of a possible weather pattern that could threaten a ‘Beast from the East’ subzero freeze here.
Although it is still very early days, they say that high pressure growing over eastern Europe at the start of December could drive the chilly front as it nudges closer to Ireland.
Meteorologist Jim Dale told Express : “There is a change in weather patterns now looking likely at the start of December. If this happens, we are in a classic position to get a cold flow in from the east.
“This is an indicator of a Beast from the East, and although it has not woken up fully yet, it is safe to say the beast is opening its eyes.”
Weather experts have been monitoring charts - which are subject to change this far out - that appear to now be showing a trend towards a prolonged cool front.
Independent forecaster Alan O’Reilly has been sharing regular updates with his followers on his Carlow Weather Twitter account.
He said: “Weather models showing the cool and settled weather is nailed on now for end of this week. Just how cold it gets next week is still uncertain but the risk of a prolonged cool are slowly increasing.”
The weather buff described the charts as “interesting” - but warned that anything beyond five days “is very hard to forecast with confidence”.
Meanwhile, Met Eireann has given its verdict on the weather for next week and ruled out a big freeze.
In its weekly forecast for Friday, December 2 to Thursday, December 8, it predicted “normal or slightly below normal” temperatures, with overnight frosts likely and mist and fog possible.
It reads: “High pressure to our north and east will keep conditions during this period largely settled. Ireland will lie in a predominantly easterly airflow. As a result, conditions will be drier than normal for most areas, but more frequent showers will affect eastern areas, leading to slightly above average rainfall there.
“This easterly airflow will also draw colder air from continental Europe over Ireland, and as a result, air temperatures will be normal or slightly below. With lighter winds and colder temperatures, overnight frosts are likely with mist and fog possible too.”
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