Met Eireann has issued a weather update as they warned that freezing conditions including frost and ice are on the way this week.
The week will get off to a mild start with highest temperatures ranging from 9 to 13 degrees but temperatures are set to drop below zero from Wednesday.
On Monday, light rain will clear away with sunny spells breaking through in the afternoon and 'fresh and gusty' southwest winds will be felt, especially in the west and northwest parts of the country.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "A dull, cloudy start this morning with outbreaks of light rain and drizzle clearing eastwards through the early morning and becoming mainly dry with just patches of drizzle. A few sunny spells will develop during the afternoon. Towards evening, a band of more persistent rain will push into the northwest. Mild with highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees in moderate to fresh and gusty southwest winds, stronger in western and northwestern coastal areas."
Tuesday will also be mild with highest temperatures ranging from 9 to 13 degrees during the day and between 2 to 7 degrees overnight.
A forecaster added: "Tomorrow [Tuesday] will be largely cloudy with light outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly over Munster and north Leinster. Drier further north with some sunny spells developing. Highest afternoon temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees over Ulster and Connacht, ranging from 9 to 13 degrees elsewhere. Southwest winds will be mostly moderate but fresh to strong in the south and northwest.
However, it is expected to turn bitterly cold towards the end of the week as temperatures plummet as low as -3C overnight on Thursday with sleet and snow expected on high ground in Ulster.
The forecast for Wednesday night reads: "A colder night than previous nights, with long clear spells and scattered showers in the north and west, and staying dry elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees generally with frost developing in places. West to southwest winds will be occasionally fresh, but continuing stronger near western and northwestern coasts."
Thursday is expected to be quite unsettled as it also brings the possibility of thunderstorms, with the forecaster saying: "During the day, there will be plenty of sunshine but showers will become more widespread, turning heavy at times in parts of the northwest with further falls of sleet likely along with snow on high ground in Ulster.
"There is also the possibility of isolated thunderstorms. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in mostly moderate west to northwest winds.
"Turning very cold overnight with clear skies as showers become isolated and mostly confined to northern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with widespread frost and icy developing in light northwesterly or variable breezes."
