Ireland's weather over the next month is set to be changeable with potentially hazardous conditions potentially on the way.
From Friday, high pressure will dominate meaning temperatures will be higher than normal and there will be less rainfall.
However, the arrival of an airflow will bring "potential hazards" including frost, ice, fog and even wintry showers which could include sleet or snow.
Met Eireann predicts that wintry showers could hit anytime over the next three weeks, while high pressure "anomalies" could also hit before better weather returns near the end of February.
Here is their forecast for the next four weeks:
Week 1: January 28 to February 3
High pressure persists as the dominant influence over our area and indeed much of western Europe during week 1, with above average temperatures and below average rainfall indicated overall through the period.
This doesn’t preclude the fact that low pressure and precipitation could make an appearance from time to time, but the effects of said low pressure and associated precipitation are likely to be dampened or muted by the influence of nearby high pressure.
Although the dominant airflow appears to be from a mild southwesterly direction during the period, the positioning of the centre of the high to the southwest of Ireland in the near Atlantic will also favour a cold northwesterly airflow at times, which could bring brief periods of colder temperatures.
Potential hazards include fog, and occasionally frosty and icy conditions with the chance of wintry showers, chiefly in the north and northwest.
Week 2: February 4 to February 10
High pressure will maintain a dominant influence over our area during Week 2, but with the highest pressure anomalies centred to the southeast of Ireland over northeast France and the Benelux region, this increases the likelihood of precipitation extending from the Atlantic over Ireland.
As a result, slightly wetter than average conditions are indicated over the western half of the country with near normal or just slightly drier than normal conditions further east.
Temperatures are indicated to remain slightly above average overall for this period, but this doesn’t preclude the chance of briefly colder interludes which could bring some wintry showers from time to time.
Week 3: February 11 to February 17
The general persistence of high pressure continues into Week 3, with the highest pressure anomalies remaining positioned to the southeast of Ireland over continental Europe.
In this regime, much of Ireland is likely to see slightly above average rainfall, but closer to normal rainfall near eastern and southern coasts.
Temperatures are likely to remain slightly milder than average overall, but again as above, this does not preclude the chance of briefly colder interludes which could bring some wintry precipitation at times.
Week 4: February 18 to February 24
Signalled conditions for Week 4 remain broadly similar to Week 3 with high pressure positioned to the southeast of Ireland over continental Europe.
Slightly wetter than average conditions for much of the country, but near normal or drier that average conditions near eastern and southern coasts. Slightly above average temperatures overall.
