The spell of cold weather is set to continue this week as Ireland will be hit by heavy rain.
Met Eireann has forecasted cold and windy days with persistent rain over the next few days.
Parts of the country will see hail showers with temperatures struggling to reach double digits over the next couple of days.
But the national weather forecaster has some good news as weather conditions will turn milder over the weekend.
Wednesday
Wednesday will see stiff northwest winds with a cold and fairly sunny morning.
But some hail or rain showers are expected mainly over Ulster, Connacht, and parts of Munster.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: “But some heavy rain will develop in the northeast by lunchtime.
“Mostly cloudy this afternoon and evening, with that rain becoming more widespread. Top temperatures of 6C to 9C.”
Wednesday night will see rain in all areas with a “a slight risk of sleet on mountains”.
“But the rain will become more patchy and scattered away from eastern coastal areas later, with some dry and locally clear spells developing.
“Northeast winds will be fresh and gusty. Lowest temperatures 1C to 4 C, with a slight grass frost during any clear spells.”
Thursday
Thursday will be mostly cloudy and cool with further rain showers expected.
While the showers will be heavy in some places, there are also some dry, bright spells predicted.
“Top temperatures 7C to 9 C, in fresh and gusty northeasterly winds.
“Thursday night will be cloudy cold and breezy with dry spells and outbreaks of rain.”
Friday
“Friday will be a cool and mostly cloudy day with scattered outbreaks of rain.
“The rain will be quite persistent across the south and east with low cloud and mist, but good dry spells will occur further northwest.
“Fresh northeast or east winds. Temperatures in the high single figures."
Aldi Ireland selling BBQ oven for €50 - and it cooks pizzas in 10 minutes
Saturday
“On Saturday outbreaks of rain still affecting the south during the morning will die out; otherwise a dry day.
“Mostly cloudy, but a few sunny spells too. Moderate to fresh northeast winds.
“Temperatures recovering to the low teens. A slight ground frost overnight.”
Sunday
“A dry day with varying cloud and pleasant sunny spells. Moderate northeast winds. Near normal temperatures.”
