Widespread snow for Ireland amid forecaster's alert over Arctic cold blast

One forecaster is predicting widespread snow for Ireland within days as an Arctic blast of weather makes its way towards us later in the week.

Met Éireann's outlook says "colder weather is likely later in the week" with the national forecaster predicting subzero night-time temperatures and wintry showers from Thursday onwards.

Meanwhile, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says: "Winter is not quite finished with us just yet, and indeed for some, the coldest and potentially the snowiest part of winter could be just around the corner.

"Certainly that’s how the latest ECMWF model indicates, but it’s not just one model hinting at something rather wintry next week but a range of weather models and across a number of days now."

Cathal added: "It’s a return to colder weather next week with a renewed risk of wintry precipitation and indeed snow for some. That risk begins to increase beyond Tuesday as colder air streams southwards across the country, while warmer moist air from the southwest attempts to push through on Thursday, setting to scene for a complex forecast, but one where the risk of snow is high for some."

In the meantime, Met Éireann says "Monday will continue mostly cloudy and breezy with patchy rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with fresh, gusty west to southwest winds.

"Monday night will be mostly cloudy. Rain will develop in the north and will move down over Connacht and Ulster, it will be heavy at times. It will be drier further south with some patchy light rain or drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees with fresh southwest breezes, coldest in Ulster."

Forecaster add that "Tuesday will be a wet day with rain extending to all areas and becoming heavy at times with a chance of some spot flooding. Highest temperatures ranging 9 to 12 degrees over the southern half of the country, but turning much colder further north with afternoon highs of just 4 to 8 degrees.

"On Tuesday night, rain will clear to the southeast and it will become cold and dry with clear spells. Frost and icy stretches will develop overnight. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees with light north to northwest breezes.

"Wednesday will start off dry with sunny spells and with frost and ice clearing. Cloud will gradually increase with rain developing in the west and southwest by evening and spreading northeastwards. Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in light east or variable breezes.

"On Wednesday night rain will spread northeastwards to all areas and may fall as sleet in places for a time. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees with freshening easterly winds.

"Thursday will be cold with outbreaks of rain or sleet, which will clear eastwards on Thursday night. Highest temperatures of just 2 to 6 degrees for much of the country, but milder in the south and southeast with highs of 9 or 10 degrees. Light to moderate northerly breezes. Frost is likely on Thursday night," Met Éireann added.

Their forecast for the week concludes that "Friday and next weekend look like being cold with sunny spells and some wintry showers. Day time temperatures are likely to range from 3 to 6 degrees. The nights will be cold with frost and icy stretches."