MET Eireann has confirmed that snow will likely only fall in Northern Ireland as the entire country is hit by a -2C freeze.
The UK Met Office issued an alert that some of the six counties could see falls of snow in the next few days – but it doesn’t look likely to stick.
Tonight is the first of two rough nights[/caption]
A forecast yesterday said: “A band of heavy rain will sweep in tonight, bringing snow over the hills across Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and the northern Pennines.”
However, Met Eireann have confirmed other northern parts of the country and further south will not be hit by the white stuff.
They said: “While rain tonight may fall for a time as a mix of sleet and snow over hills and mountains and in the north, accumulations are not expected.
“There is no expectation of accumulations of snow this week in Donegal, Monaghan or anywhere else in Ireland.”
Today will be a bright day with a mix of sunshine, scattered rain and some hail showers, with weather bosses warning that some of those showers will be “heavy and prolonged”.
There is a chance of thunderstorms throughout today with strong and gusty winds.
Temperatures will sit at highs of 6C to 9C before dropping between -2C and 2C for a “cold night” with frost developing.
And overnight showers will stay confined to Atlantic coastal areas come Wednesday night with clear spells developing.
Despite a cold night, tomorrow will start off sunny with plenty of sunshine.
Any showers will be passing and light with temperatures of 7C to 10C.
However, those temperatures will drop again on Thursday night, falling to -2C once again.
It will be largely dry throughout the night but fog will develop along with fog.
Temperatures to climb back up to 8C to 11C on Friday in a mostly dry day.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
Rain will break out once again as cloud builds overnight, but temperatures will stay above freezing at 2C.
Looking to the weekend Met Eireann’s Brandon Creagh said: “High pressure is going to build near Ireland, bringing a good deal of dry weather, but there will be cloudy conditions at times too.
“Saturday looks like a weakening band of rain will push north southeastwards over Ireland but rainfall amounts to fall will be minimal.
“Drier clearer weather developing in the northwest for the afternoon on Saturday, with highest temperatures of 8C to 11C in a mostly light, variable wind.”
Sunday will be another mostly dry day with temperatures of 9C to 11C.
