No Beast from the East but Met Éireann is warning of more winter weather

Met Éireann is predicting some more wintry weather over the weekend but there will be no widespread snow despite some parts getting a sprinkling of the white stuff in recent days.

Temperatures will continue to dips below zero over the weekend with -3 degrees possible in some parts but showers of sleet will be confined to high ground, according to Met Éireann.

Forecasters say that on Friday night, "scattered heavy and possibly thundery showers will continue with local hail. Any sleet showers will occur over higher ground.

"Long clear spells will develop overnight as showers become fewer, especially further east, but with frost and icy stretches developing. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees in light to moderate northwest breezes."

The forecast continues: "On Saturday morning, frost and icy patches will clear. It will be a dry across much of the country; sunny to begin with high hazy sunshine gradually developing. Isolated showers will occur early on with patchy rain moving into the far southwest later. Highest temperatures will range a seasonal of 7 to 10 degrees in mostly moderate northwest breezes.

"Saturday night will start off dry over most of Ireland. Rain will develop in the southwest and will spread northwards over Munster, Connacht and Leinster overnight. Most of Ulster will stay dry. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees, coldest in Ulster with light to moderate east to southeast winds.

"On Sunday, rain with heavy falls will spread over Munster, Connacht and south Leinster but will gradually clear from late in the afternoon. Drier, brighter weather over Ulster with highs of 6 to 9 degrees in a light to moderate north to northeast winds. Sunday night will be cold and mainly dry with clear spells. Frost and some icy patches are possible. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with a light to moderate northerly breezes.

"Monday will be dry with bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with a light to moderate northerly breezes. Monday night will be cold with clear spells at first and cloud increasing from the northwest overnight. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with frost and ice possible in the east and southeast.

"On Tuesday, a band of rain will move southeastwards over Ireland. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with moderate southwest winds. On Tuesday night, there'll be further spells of rain.

O"n Wednesday, rain will clear eastwards with sunshine and scattered showers following. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with variable breezes."

Beyond that, they say "current indications suggest that rain will move eastwards across the country on Thursday with cold, showery weather following for Friday and next weekend."