Irish weather forecast: Met Eireann predict 'wintry showers' as temperatures plummet to -3C this week

Wintry showers and severe frost are expected as temperatures dip as low as -3C this week.

While it will be sunny in the south of the country today, some chilly conditions are expected in the north and west.

A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Sunny spells and scattered showers today, some of the showers turning wintry on higher ground in north Connacht and Ulster.

"The best of the dry and bright weather will be in the south and southeast of the country. Top temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees in fresh and gusty westerly winds.

Frozen fields around Poulakerry Tower House in Kilsheelan, Co Tipperary (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

"Mainly dry at first tonight but showers will become widespread again later in the night and it will become blustery with fresh to strong and gusty west to northwest winds.

"In Ulster it will become very windy with gales in coastal areas here. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees."

And some more pleasant weather is expected during the day on Tuesday, but it will be bitterly cold at night, as temperatures plummet to -3C bringing a "sharp frost" in places.

A forecaster added: "Tomorrow, Tuesday will be largely dry and sunny with any showers dying out. Highest temperatures of 9 or 10 degrees. Windy at first with fresh to strong northwest winds. In the afternoon the winds will gradually ease.

The weather will stay dry and fine this weekend after Storm Brendan wreaked havoc across Britain (Getty Images)

"Tuesday night will be cold and mostly clear with a fairly widespread sharp or severe frost. Minimum temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees with light, variable breezes."

However there is some good news for the remainder of the week, as it stays relatively dry with highs of up to 12C.

A forecaster said: "Dry on Wednesday but rather cloudy. Maximum temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

"Cloud will keep temperature above freezing in many parts on Wednesday night, though some frost may form. Minimum temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees.

Frosty weather in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. (Sam Roberts)

"Not much change on Thursday. It will be generally dry and mostly cloudy with highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

"It looks like Friday will start out largely dry and it may stay dry until nightfall. However, rain is expected to move into the west later in the day or Friday night.

"Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees. It will become breezy on approach of the rain later in the day."