Met Éireann forecasts ‘very cold’ conditions with chance of snow and ice next week

The Arctic front, which is set to sweep through the country on Sunday evening, might bring some snowfall to northern and western areas.

Met Éireann meteorologist Matthew Martin said there is potential for snow to fall over mountains and hills in Ulster and Connacht, including Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

"On Sunday, we'll have a cold front, which is going to move down over Ireland," Mr Martin told the Irish Independent.

"Then, behind that, it's going to introduce some cold, kind of arctic air over the country.

"Later on Sunday, it's turning much colder but the coldest air is not going to arrive until early next week.

"So, at that stage, there will be some wintry showers with some snowfall certainly over the hills of Ulster and Connacht."

Mr Martin warned of very cold conditions and possible overnight ice and frost.

"It will be probably drier further south and east but certainly it'll be very cold, with overnight frost and ice into next week and there will be some snowfall certainly over the mountains, but perhaps to lower levels in some northern areas at times," he added.

Meanwhile, fog will clear early this afternoon while the sky will become increasingly cloudy.

Parts of the north and west will see drizzle, mist and hill fog while places further south might enjoy sunny spells.

Temperatures will range between 9C and 13C today before dropping to between 5C and 10C overnight.

It comes as a Status Yellow fog warning expired for 23 counties this morning.

The national forecaster had warned of poor visibility and hazardous travelling conditions due to "widespread mist and fog".

The affected counties were Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon and all of Leinster and Munster.

The warning had come into effect at 6pm yesterday.

Meanwhile, tonight will bring cloudy conditions, with patches of mist and drizzle possible.

Tomorrow might remain mostly cloudy with a few spots of light rain and drizzle but there will be some limited brighter breaks too. Temperatures will be between 12C and 14C.

A cloudy Thursday night looks likely to bring patchy light rain and drizzle. As the winds fall light, mist and fog might develop while temperatures will drop to 8 and 10C.

Friday will stay cloudy for most as the occasional rain and drizzle are expected and might turn persistent in the northwest in the late evening. Temperatures are set to be between 11C and 13C before dropping to between 8C and 11C overnight.

Friday night will see cloudy weather again with some light rain gradually moving southeastwards.

Rain will clear southwards on Saturday morning and afternoon as sunny spells and scattered showers will develop from the northwest. Temperatures will range between 9C and 12C.

The rest of the week will be generally cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle before turning windy on Sunday, Met Éireann said.