Ireland weather: Met Eireann forecasts -3C temperatures ahead of frost and icy conditions

Don't retire the hot water bottle just yet - it may be spring but weather experts at Met Eireann are forecasting subzero temperatures overnight over the coming days

Brace yourselves for some chilly weather as temperatures in Ireland will drop as low as -3C in a cold snap over the coming days.

Met Eireann is forecasting subzero temperatures overnight before milder and wetter weather moves in for the weekend.

Today (Thursday March 3) will get off to a cold start with frosty conditions in some places.

As the day goes on, it will generally be dry with spells of sunshine. However, some rainfall will affect areas in the west and southwest, which will extend into the midlands by evening. Maximum temperatures will range between 7C and 10C.

A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Turning cold overnight with a fairly widespread frost expected. There will be a mix of clear spells and some showers, the showers will primarily affect the midlands, south and west. Lowest temperatures of -2C to 3C with some ice and frost forming as winds fall light."

Friday will be a bright a fresh day after morning frost clears, paving the way for sunny spells and scattered showers with temperatures reaching highs of 9C.

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But temperatures are expected to drop again overnight, with similar weather conditions forecast for the weekend.

A statement on Met.ie continues: "Friday looks set to be a bright and fresh day with morning frost clearing to leave sunny spells and well-scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 6C to 9C.

"Mostly dry overnight [on Friday] with long clear spells and just the chance of an isolated shower. A cold and frosty night with some ice patches forming as temperatures fall back to between -3 and 0C.

"Saturday is expected to be a dry and fine spring day with long spells of sunshine. After a cold and frosty start maximum afternoon temperatures will range between 7C and 10C.

"Cold and mostly dry on Saturday night with just the chance of isolated showers along eastern and southeastern coasts. Minimum temperatures of -3C to 3C, coldest in the west of the country with frost and ice.

"A few showers drifting in from the east on Sunday but a good deal of dry weather overall with some sunny spells. Maximum temperatures of 7C to 10C.

"Another cold night on Sunday night with clear spells and just a few showers. Lowest temperatures of 0C to 3C."

Next week's forecast indicates the end of the cold snap with the national forecaster predicting warmer temperatures.

"A cold and breezy day on Monday with lots of cloud and scattered patches of rain or drizzle, chiefly affecting southern and western counties. Maximum temperatures of 6C to 9C.

"On Monday night, rain will spread across the country from the Atlantic and it will turn quite windy. Minimum temperatures of 3C to 6C in strong and gusty southeast winds.

"Current indications suggest Tuesday will be a wet and blustery day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Maximum temperatures of 6C to 10C, mildest in the southwest of the country."