Ireland is set to be hit by freezing conditions in the days ahead as a cold snap brings frost and ice.
Met Eireann says temperatures could plummet to -3C during some nights before milder and wetter weather arrives at the weekend.
The chilly conditions will be followed by a big change as an 'Atlantic regime' is expected next week.
There is also the potential for 'hazards' as unsettled conditions take hold, Met Eireann's long-range forecast says.
The national forecaster predicts for Friday until next Thursday, March 10: "A transitory signal for Week 1 with high pressure out to the east but low pressure building from the west. Likely the start of the period will be more settled before high pressure give way to a more Atlantic regime.
"Overall, temperatures will be around average for the time of year but slightly milder along eastern and southern coastal counties. The more unsettled conditions will bring above average precipitation over much of the country, especially in the south and southwest.
"Parts of the north might see below average precipitation amounts. There is the potential for hazards due to rainfall and wind as the more unsettled conditions take hold."
Before then, Thursday will have a cold start with a touch of frost in places. Most of the country will have a dry day with spells of spring sunshine.
However, some showers will affect parts of the west and southwest, extending into the midlands by evening. Maximum temperatures of 7 to 10C.
A forecaster said: "Turning cold overnight with a fairly widespread frost expected. There will be a mix of clear spells and some showers, the showers will primarily affect the midlands, south and west. Lowest temperatures of -2 to 3C with some ice and frost forming as winds fall light.
"Friday looks set to be a bright and fresh day with morning frost clearing to leave sunny spells and well-scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9C.
"Mostly dry overnight [on Friday] with long clear spells and just the chance of an isolated shower. A cold and frosty night with some ice patches forming as temperatures fall back to between -3 and 0C.
'Saturday is expected to be a dry and fine spring day with long spells of sunshine. After a cold and frosty start maximum afternoon temperatures will range between 7 and 10C.
"Cold and mostly dry on Saturday night with just the chance of isolated showers along eastern and southeastern coasts. Minimum temperatures of -3 to 3C, coldest in the west of the country with frost and ice."
They added: "A few showers drifting in from the east on Sunday but a good deal of dry weather overall with some sunny spells. Maximum temperatures of 7 to 10C.
"Another cold night on Sunday night with clear spells and just a few showers. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 0C.
"A cold and breezy day on Monday with lots of cloud and scattered patches of rain or drizzle, chiefly affecting southern and western counties. Maximum temperatures of 6 to 9C.
"On Monday night, rain will spread across the country from the Atlantic and it will turn quite windy. Minimum temperatures of 3 to 6C in strong and gusty southeast winds.
"Current indications suggest Tuesday will be a wet and blustery day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Maximum temperatures of 6 to 10C, mildest in the southwest of the country."
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