Heavy showers and low temperatures

Afternoon temperatures will drop to between just 3 to 5 degrees

Today will be cold and blustery, with frequent showers, some heavy and the potential for hail, sleet and even isolated thunderstorms in some parts.

Afternoon temperatures will drop to between just 3 to 5 degrees, in moderate to fresh west to northwest winds, Met Eireann predicts, as the country experiences a severe dip in temperatures over the weekend as the cold weather continues.

The outlook forecasters say is that conditions will remain cold but “becoming drier” for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday night meanwhile will be largely dry, with long clear spells in some parts of the country.

But showers will continue in northern and western coastal areas, with the slight possibility of sleet on higher ground.

Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees in moderate northwest winds.