Met Eireann says that wintry showers are on the way as Ireland braces for freezing temperatures.
The cold snap is due to start in the middle of next week, after unsettled conditions take hold.
It comes as a Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Donegal until 9am on Saturday.
The national forecaster said: “Southwesterly winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h with gusts of up to 100km/h, higher in coastal areas and on high ground
“Localised wave overtopping is possible.”
It’s set to be a windy start to the New Year, with severe gusts forecast for some areas, while rain is due to clear most areas by Saturday afternoon.
Met Eireann said: “A very windy start nationwide this morning with gales at the coast and some severe gusts possible, especially in the northwest.
“Outbreaks of rain will clear eastwards during the morning and it will brighten up with sunny spells and scattered showers for the remainder of the day.
“Some heavy showers will occur in the midlands and west in the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 11C to 14C in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, it continued: “Sunday looks set to be a blustery day with sunny spells and widespread showers.
“Showers will merge to longer spells of rain at times, especially across the west of the country where there is a possibility of some localised flooding.
“Maximum temperatures of 7C to 10C in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds.”
Next week’s forecast is for “unsettled conditions” that will “turn colder for a time with some frost mid-week”.
Met Eireann said: “Outbreaks of rain will push in across north Connacht and Ulster on Monday and it will turn colder there. Further south, there will be lots of dry weather albeit with a few showers.
“Maximum afternoon temperatures ranging 5C to 7C in north Ulster and 8C to 11C further south. A band of rain will push south over the country during Monday evening and early on Monday night, fizzling out as it pushes south.
“As the rain clears, colder air and clearer air will push in from the north. Minimum temperatures of 0C to 4C, coldest in Ulster with a touch of frost expected.”
It said temperatures could plummet as low as -2C on Tuesday with hail and sleet showers likely,
A forecaster said: “A cold day on Tuesday with good spells of sunshine and just a few well-scattered showers of rain or hail. Maximum temperatures of 4C to 7C in moderate northwest breezes.
“A few hail or sleet showers along the north coast on Tuesday night but otherwise dry, cold and clear with widespread frost. Minimum temperatures of -2C to 2C in light variable breezes.”
Met Eireann said it will turn colder as the week continues.
It said: “Wednesday will start cold and frosty with some patches of ice. It will be a generally dry morning but cloud will thicken from the west during the day with rain developing on Atlantic coasts during by late morning.
“Rain will extend nationwide later in the day. Maximum afternoon temperatures of around 3C to 7C in the north and east but ranging 8C to 11C.
“Heavy rain in most areas on Wednesday night will clear into the Irish Sea around dawn. Minimum temperatures of 1C to 4C, occurring around dawn.
“A cold and blustery day is forecast for Thursday with sunny spells and widespread showers, some wintry in nature. Top temperatures of 4C to 7C in strong west or southwest winds.”
