'Very cold' weather en route with temperatures to fall to lows of -3C

Tuesday started off dull with rain and drizzle. However, some drier conditions will follow for the southwest for a time ahead of scattered showers or longer spells of rain. Picture: Chani Anderson.

Temperatures are set to fall sharply this week, with Met Éireann saying the mercury will fall to lows as -3C. 

While unsettled weather is set to continue over the next few days, with dull and damp conditions, brighter conditions and a "brief cold snap" are set before it turns unsettled again over the weekend. 

Tuesday started off dull with rain and drizzle. However, some drier conditions will follow for the south-west for a time ahead of scattered showers or longer spells of rain. More rain is set for Tuesday night, with some mist and fog patches as well.

Wednesday will be another dull start, with rain and drizzle. Some "limited bright spells", scattered showers, and highs sitting between 5C and 11C are set for later in the day. 

It will be mostly cloudy with some limited clear spells, mist and fog patches on Wednesday night. Temperatures will drop to sit between 2C and 7C with the coldest weatherin Ulster.

Meteorologist and Met Éireann forecaster Gerry Murphy said Thursday and Friday night will see some of the coolest weather, though it will be short-lived and not "drastically cold". 

"What happens on Thursday is that the rain gradually begins to move southwards, and colder air comes in from the north. So the temperatures will range from about 4C in the north to 9C in the south," he told the Irish Examiner. 

"And then Friday is a much colder day. The rain clears away. It's a cold, bright, crisp day, but very cold. Temperatures are about 4C in the north to 7C in the south. 

"There will be good sunshine for most, maybe a little drizzle in the morning in the southeast before it clears away and then in the afternoon, a few showers in the north," Mr Murphy said. 

The meteorologist said frost is expected on Thursday night with temperatures sitting between -3C and 2C, with similar conditions for Friday night.

"Temperatures will be quite low then, and will be between 0C and -3C or -4C," Mr Murphy added. 

Looking into the weekend, Saturday will start off dry and very cold, then with frost and ice before wet and breezy conditions come in from the west during the second half of the day. Some wintry falls are also possible further north, with afternoon temperatures of 4C to 7C.  

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