Met Eireann has forecast the first ‘cold blast’ of winter to arrive in the coming weeks as temperatures drop to below zero in some areas.
In its monthly forecast, the weather experts said the coming week, Friday, October 21 to Thursday, October 27, would be dominated by low pressure to the southwest of Ireland.
Temperatures will steer above average from the southwest, but also above average rainfall will be seen, especially for the southeast.
Meanwhile, the northwestern fringes look to escape with lower than average rainfall.
Strong bands of low pressure will draw up warm moist air. However, there will be a continued risk of heavy rainfall at times, and there will remain an elevated chance of warnings being issued.
The risk of some flooding and waterlogging will also continue.
From Friday, October 28 to Thursday, November 3, things will maintain a generally mild southerly airflow with less rainfall, yet still slightly above average for the time of year.
The potential for hazardous conditions looks more marginal for week two, and at this time, warnings are not anticipated.
Following the first week of November, Friday, 4 to Thursday, 10, will see a bitter change as temperatures fall below zero.
By week three, high pressure looks to build from the west with light winds out of the northwest, while rainfall will be around average or slightly below for the time of year.
The driest areas will be in the south and southeast.
The risk of hazards looks small. However, there is the chance, under the influence of high pressure, that temperatures fall below freezing on one or two nights.
Week 4, Friday, November 11 to Thursday, November 17, looks quite similar to week three, with high pressure strengthening to the west with winds falling fairly slack.
Temperatures will remain slightly above average, with rainfall rates low across the country.
Overall the potential for hazardous conditions should be low, however, this sort of scenario often leads to fog this time of year, and a slight risk of frost will also prevail.
Meanwhile, tonight there will be rain in the southwest and south, and this will spread northwards to most areas.
A few heavy and thundery downpours are possible in southern coastal counties.
Most of Ulster will stay dry until morning, but there will be patches of mist and fog.
It will become breezy and blustery with a fresh to strong and gusty east to southeast wind developing. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees.
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