Met Eireann has forecasted snow and thunderstorms with temperatures to fall to -4C as an Arctic freeze hits Ireland.
A forecaster said that chilling temperatures and wintry showers will happen because of an Arctic airmass over the country.
They said: "Clearer and colder conditions will follow behind with scattered showers, some of which will turn wintry at times in the north.
"Lowest temperatures of -2 to +1 degrees generally."
Friday will be a colder day with sunny spells and scattered showers, some turning heavy with hail and the risk of isolated thunderstorms.
Some showers will turn to sleet over the northern half of the country, with snow on higher ground later in the day.
There will be a return to some unseasonably very cold weather this weekend, with an Arctic airmass becoming re-established over the country.
There'll be plenty of sunshine and northerly winds will be mostly light overall, but there'll be some wintry showers, with these most widespread across the country on Saturday.
While temperatures will continue to remain below average early next week, it will become less cold from Monday, as winds switch to a southwesterly direction and we'll lose those widespread night-time frosts.
Met Eireann added: "Low pressure will be dominant for the next few days, so the weather will be changeable, with some rain or showers at times.
"Some sunshine too with temperatures improving a little, but still generally below average for the time of year."
Monday will have some bright or sunny spells to start in the east and south, it will become increasingly cloudy, with outbreaks of showery rain throughout the day.
