Met Éireann issues weather advisory for Ireland with chance of snow as temperatures set to drop below freezing

The national forecaster has warned of wintry hazards, including frost and ice with the potential for sleet, snow and hail in some parts.

A transition to significantly colder conditions will take place from Monday and last through much of the week.

Meanwhile, this morning will be mostly cloudy but it might bring some bright and short sunny spells.

The outbreaks of rain will affect the northern and western parts of the country, extending elsewhere in the afternoon and evening while becoming more persistent in some parts.

Temperatures will range between 7 and 11 degrees.

It will remain mostly cloudy tonight, with outbreaks of rain clearing the north and east.

Sunday night will be rather breezy for a time, especially in the west and south where winds will increase.

Temperatures are set to drop between 4 and 9 degrees while Ulster will see colder weather and lower temperatures of 0 and 3 degrees, accompanied by lighter winds.

Monday will be mostly cloudy, with outbreaks of rain across the south and west of the country, which might become widespread in the afternoon.

The rain will be heavy at times, bringing the risk of spot flooding. It may turn to sleet and snow in Ulster towards the evening with accumulations possible but mainly on northern hills.

Temperatures in the afternoon are set to range between 3 and 7 degrees across the country and 8 and 11 degrees in the southwest.

Meanwhile, light to moderate cyclonic winds might increase to strong and gusty near the western and southern coasts.

Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will gradually clear eastwards on Monday night, followed by cold clear spells.

The night will turn cold with frost and ice forming as temperatures are set to fall below freezing and range between -2 to +2 degrees.

However, it will be a bit milder in coastal fringes and across southwest Munster with temperatures of 3 and 7 degrees in these parts.

A few showers, some of them turning wintry, will feed into the north and west towards the dawn.

It will be a cold week ahead, with frost and ice patches, while some parts will see wintry showers, Met Éireann has said.