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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Marita Moloney

Ireland weather: Met Eireann forecast cold snap before big change as 'interesting' conditions expected

Ireland is set to be hit by freezing conditions this week as temperatures plummet to -2C.

Frost and ice patches will hit many areas in the coming days while sunny spells and rain showers can also be expected.

The cold snap will hit before a big change towards the end of the week when better conditions are forecast.

Met Eireann says that current indications show high pressure will build across the country over the weekend, bringing plenty of dry and bright weather with long sunny spells.

Before then, Monday is set to be an "interesting" day of weather.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said on Sunday night: "Interesting one for tomorrow, some weather models showing heavy rain in Southeast and East around noon but exact location of rain is little uncertain. Be interesting to see what radar shows tomorrow."

Met Eireann forecasts that any lingering rain in eastern areas will clear this morning as largely dry weather with scattered showers and sunny spells extends from elsewhere.

However, further outbreaks of rain will spread across Munster and Leinster from the south later in the morning.

The rain will clear into the Irish Sea through the afternoon, followed by sunny spells and isolated showers from the west, with highest temperatures of 7 to 10C in light to moderate southerly winds, veering westerly as the rain clears.

Monday night will be cold, dry and largely clear, while frost and icy patches will develop as temperatures fall to between -2 and 1C.

A forecaster said: "A cold and frosty start tomorrow but any frost and ice will clear to leave a dry and bright day with long spells of sunshine. However, some patchy cloud will develop over the northern half of the country during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9C.

"Another cold and generally dry night [on Tuesday] with long clear spells, though it will turn cloudier overnight with isolated patches of drizzle in the east and south. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2C, with frost and ice patches developing in a light easterly breeze.

"Generally cloudy on Wednesday with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle spreading from the south. More persistent rain will move into western and southwestern coastal counties in the evening. Highest temperatures of 8 to 10C.

"Rain will spread northeastwards across the country on Wednesday night. Clear spells and scattered showers will follow into Connacht and Munster as the rain clears overnight. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5C in light winds."

Frosty morning in Enniskerry County Wicklow (Collins Photos Dublin)

They added for Thursday: "Rain will gradually clear from the east and north through the morning and afternoon, leaving a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, most frequent and prolonged over the western half of the country. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10C.

"A cold and generally dry night [on Thursday] with long clear spells and just isolated showers, mainly near western and northern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -1 to 2C.

"Another bright day [on Friday] with sunny spells and scattered light showers. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9C.

"High pressure will build across the country over the weekend, bringing plenty of dry and bright weather with long sunny spells. However, current indications suggest that another spell of rain will cross the country later Sunday."

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