Forecaster pinpoints counties most at risk of snow amid Arctic blast for Ireland

Parts of Ireland could get 10cm of snow this week as weather experts monitor models which could bring a sprinkling of white stuff to a number of areas.

The country is bracing for a brief Arctic blast at the end of this week and over the weekend with temperatures likely to plunge to -3 degrees.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has said some areas over high ground could get 10cm of snow, while others get between 1-3cm or none at all.

He said: "Through Thursday and more especially through Thursday night colder air is expected to make its way across the country from the west with an area of low pressure and showery outbreaks of rain becoming stationary across the country for some time thereafter. 

"Showery rain on Thursday night will turn increasingly to sleet and snow in some areas with a risk of some accumulations of snow even down to lower levels. Parts of the Midlands, East Ulster and inland areas of Leinster are most at risk. 

"In the aforementioned areas accumulations of between 1-3cm are possible, with accumulation up to 5-10cm above 200 metres and potentially up to 15-20cm in parts of the Mourne, Cooley and Wicklow mountains where some higher routes may be shut. 

"The colder weather will remain in place from Thursday night until Tuesday, with temperatures by day below average for early March and nighttime values dipping down as low as -3 degrees Celsius in some parts, with a risk of ice on the roads."

Meanwhile Met Éireann is predicting similar wintry weather for the next few days

They say Wednesday will be "mostly cloudy with occasional rain and drizzle and patchy mist. Some drier intervals also. Rain will turn more persistent in the west this evening, spreading eastwards later. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees with moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty south to southwest winds, increasing strong near western coasts this evening.

"Outbreaks of rain will gradually clear eastwards by midnight [Wednesday night] with clear spells and showers following from the west. Some of showers will turn heavy with a chance of hail in the west towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees with moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty west to southwest winds, easing light to moderate inland overnight, but continuing strong at times near western coasts.

"Thursday will be cold with sunny spells and showers, some heavy with a chance of hail and lightning, and sleet possible on higher ground. The showers will be most frequent over the western half of the country, with longer drier intervals further east, especially through the morning. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with west to southwest winds increasing moderate to fresh and gusty.

"Thursday night will be a cold night with showery rain in the west spreading eastwards. The rain turning increasingly wintry in nature, falling mostly as a mix of rain, hail and sleet but with a little snow possible in places. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees with frost and ice forming in places," the forecast continues.

Friday will bring a cold start to March and meteorological spring with sunny spells and showers.

"The showers merging to longer spells of rain in places and some of the showers turning increasingly wintry in nature, falling as a mix of rain, hail, sleet and snow. Highest temperatures on Friday generally ranging between 3 and 6 degrees Celsius with a mostly light to moderate north to northwest wind but winds will be strong at times along Atlantic coasts," Met Éireann warned.

They say "Friday night will be cold night with a mix of clear spells and showers. Again, some of the showers will be wintry in nature and fall as hail and sleet with some snow possible especially over the hills and mountains. Some frost and icy patches are possible Lowest temperatures on Friday night generally ranging between of -1 to +3 degrees Celsius. Winds will be mostly light or moderate in strength and northwesterly in direction.

"Saturday will continue cold with sunny spells and showers, some of the showers heavy in nature and falling as hail with some sleet over the mountains. Highest afternoon temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees with a moderate northwesterly wind.

"Saturday night will be cold with clear spells showers with a few hail or sleet showers possible. Frost and icy patches will develop also. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees

"A bright day on Sunday with sunny spells and a few isolated showers. Highest temperatures on Sunday generally ranging between 6 and 8 degrees. Light to moderate westerly winds will gradually back southwest by evening and reduce light.

"Sunday night will be cold with frost and icy patches developing. A band of rain is likely to move up from the southwest possibly turning to sleet in places as it meet the cold air. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees. Winds will be southeast to east in direction and moderate to fresh in strength."

Beyond that, Met Éireann says "at present the outlook for the early days next week indicate that a band of rain will continue to move up from the south on Monday and introduce some milder air. But it will remain unsettled for Tuesday and Wednesday with rain persistent at times but with temperatures around average or a little above."

Further updates will be issued later this evening.