Snow is set to return to Ireland later this week, along with sub-zero temperatures, according to Met Éireann.
It will turn colder from Wednesday with sunny spells and showers of rain, hail and sleet for the remainder of the week and next weekend.
Meanwhile, outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the south-west will move north-eastwards today (Monday, January 18th), according to Met Éireann.
Rain is set to turn more persistent in many areas in the evening, heaviest in the south-west. Temperatures will reach 7 to 10 degrees with slightly lower values of 6 to 9 degrees tonight.
Status yellow rainfall warning
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rainfall warning for eleven counties.
The warning will come into effect in Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, Louth, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan, at 9pm tonight and will remain valid until 9pm tomorrow.
“Heavy rainfall will lead to accumulations of 30 to 50mm, with higher accumulations in mountainous areas. This will bring a risk of some river and localised flooding.” the national forecaster warned.
Rain will fall in all areas tonight, heaviest, and most persistent across the west and north midlands. The national forecaster has warned that some local flooding is possible. It will remain coldest over Ulster with lows of 2 to 5 degrees.
Tuesday
Tomorrow will see a wet and breezy start with rain nationwide. Heavy outbreaks are expected in the northern half of the country, where rain will be most persistent.
There is a continued risk of localised flooding, according to Met Éireann. Rain will become more intermittent in the south in the afternoon, with some heavier falls at intervals.
It will be cold in Ulster once again, with lows of 2 to 5 degrees, while values will be slightly higher elsewhere, from 7 to 11 degrees.
Outbreaks of rain will continue in many areas on Tuesday night, with a clearance from the north-west giving rise to a dry morning over much of Connacht and Ulster.
Patches of mist and fog are set to develop with frost to set in quickly after dark in the north-west. Temperatures will drop between -2 to +2 degrees in both Ulster and north Connacht. Elsewhere, values will remain in the region of 3 to 7 degrees.
Wednesday – Snow this week
Rain will become persistent in the east and south, heavy at times, while the north-west will see showers.
Northerly winds will give rise to a cold day overall, with rain to turn to sleet through the afternoon and evening in the midlands, south and east with snow on high ground.
Rain, sleet, and snow will clear eastwards on Wednesday night with showers expected in the west and north. According to Met Éireann, frost will develop with lows of -1 to +2 degrees.
Thursday
It will be cold with bright spells in the south with widespread showers over the northern half of Ireland. A mix of sleet and hail showers expected with highs of 4 to 6 degrees.
Thursday night, the national forecaster added, will see showers retreat to western and northern coastal areas. There will be a sharp frost in place with lows of 0 to -3 degrees.
Friday
Scattered showers and sunny spells are expected with showers to remain largely in the north-west.
Some showers will be wintry, especially over high ground according to the national forecaster.
Temperatures will reach between 3 to 5 degrees during the afternoon with lots of -2 to +1 degrees on Friday night.
