Ireland weather: 'Significant snow event' as temps drop in latest Met Éireann 5-day forecast

Ireland is feeling the cold this week, as truly wintery weather settles in across the island.

A number of cold and ice warnings have been issued, as speculation continues regarding whether or not we will see snow in the coming days.

Snow may very well be on the horizon for certain parts of the country, with tonight (Wednesday) going into Thursday morning predicted to see a potential "significant snow event."

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Met Éireann meteorologist Joanne Donnelly said there will be “overnight freezing temperatures and the possibility of a significant snow event happening on Wednesday night into Thursday for Munster," reports The Independent.

Temperatures could plummet to as low as -4 degrees tonight, with warnings rife regarding difficult driving conditions.

A Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning has been issued for the entire country. It is valid from 8pm tonight until 10am on Thursday.

An additional Status Yellow snow and ice warning has been issued for Munster from 4am tonight until 12pm on Thursday.

Moving into the weekend, thing are due to be milder, but still unsettled overall.

Here is the forecast for the next five days:

Wednesday 20th November

A cold day with parts of the country experiencing frost and icy stretches on untreated surfaces in the morning morning, lingering in some spots through the day.

Dry with sunshine in many parts, while others see scattered showers of sleet and snow particularly in the north and northwest. Heavy rain due in the afternoon, moving into the west and southwest, turning to hail, sleet and snow at times as it spreads inland.

The rain will spread tonight, turning to sleet and snow at times away from coasts with some accumulations possible. Mostly dry further north, with scattered wintry showers continuing in Ulster and north Connacht.

Very cold temperatures, in the range of of -4 to 0 degrees. Widespread frost and ice will develop.

Thursday 21st November

Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow to begin to clear. A very cold day with some icy stretches and temperatures reaching just 1 to 4 degrees.

Overnight, widespread frost and icy stretches developing. Mostly dry with clear spells, though scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow will feed into Ulster, Connacht and Munster. Lowest temperatures of -4 to +1 degrees.

Friday 22nd November

Mostly dry with spells of sunshine and just a few wintry showers near northern and Atlantic coasts. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees.

Turning wet and windy overnight with heavy rain spreading across the country alongside strong to near gale force and gusty southeasterly winds.

Some occasional falls of sleet are possible early in the night. There is a chance of localised flooding. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees but it will turn milder as the rain spreads.

Saturday 23rd November

A wet and windy day with widespread and heavy rain, leading to localised flooding. Strong and gusty southerly winds. Milder with highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees, says Met Eireann.

Sunday 24th November

Very windy on Sunday with strong southwesterly winds. A showery day with some heavy showers possible. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.