Temperatures to become 'significantly colder' next week

Met Éireann has said that temperatures will drop next week, becoming "significantly colder".

In an advisory, the forecaster said that from next Tuesday, an Artic airmass will cover the country from the north, resulting in daytime temperatures ranging around 2 to 6C.

Night-time temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice.

Met Éireann said that there will be persistent rain over much of the country with the possibility of some sleet and snow over Ulster on Monday.

It also advised that from Monday onwards, there will be frost, ice and showers which will be most widespread in the northern part of the country, as well as parts of the west.

Due to the cold spell, Met Éireann warned of hazardous ground conditions and poor visibility with wintry showers.

The forecaster's Deputy Head of Forecasting said that following a "unusually mild start" this month, people will get "quite a shock" as temperatures are set to plummet.

Liz Coleman said: "Details are uncertain with the exact track of a low-pressure system on Sunday night and during Monday, but at present, some heavy and persistent rain is expected in the west and north with the possibility of some sleet and snow over parts of Ulster on Monday.

"However, there is a high degree of certainty that by next Tuesday it is going to turn much colder as an Arctic airmass sinks over the country from the north.

"Daytime temperatures will often range around 2 to 6 degrees with night-time temperatures widely falling below freezing, bringing widespread frost and ice.

"The northerly airflow will also bring showers of sleet and snow, these most frequent over the northern half of the country but there is potential for some showers to reach further south.

"These conditions will bring some hazardous travelling conditions, travel disruptions and poor visibility."