Ireland is bracing for a major that as the weekend will bring a change from the bitter cold we have experienced.
Met Eireann’s predicts temperatures reaching 12C on Sunday in some areas.
However, the increase could be short-lived with another sharp drop in temperatures expected again before Christmas.
Weather expert Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said that while it was still “very uncertain” we could see cooler air returning again by Wednesday.
He wrote on Twitter: “After the big freeze comes the big thaw. Up to 12c by Sunday in the South and most areas will see over 10c Monday. Cooler air could return by Wednesday but very uncertain yet,” reports The Mirror.
Meanwhile it’s a very cold start to the day as an orange state weather alert for low temperatures and ice remains in effect for 16 counties remains in effect until 12 noon Friday. Many areas in the Midlands and South West saw temperatures plummet to -7C and -8C overnight.
There will be widespread frost and ice this morning and some patches of freezing fog, leading to challenging road conditions with daytime maximum temperatures ranging from 0°C to 4°C.
Showers will move from the northwest and spread southeast during the late afternoon and evening, with some winter turning to places with icy conditions in some areas.
Tonight will see low temperatures between 0°C and -3°C with clear spells and scattered showers and wintry and icy conditions in places, as well as haze and fog, especially in the midlands.
Saturday will be another generally cold day with some haze and fog and some showers. Maximum temperatures from 1°C to 4°C, but in the southern and western coastal areas they will rise between 5°C and 8°C. Nighttime temperatures will drop 0°C to 4°C as rains spread from the south, signaling a change in the weather, making it less cold.
Sunday will be the day the ‘great thaw’ arrives as it will be much milder than previous days with highs ranging from 8C in north Ulster, to 12C or 13C in the south. It will be quite windy with bursts of rain or drizzle, especially in the south and west of the country.
Monday will also see mild temperatures of 50s to 13s with bursts of rain in the south and west, extending to all areas in the afternoon. The rain will clear in the east on Monday evening and low temperatures will drop 4°C to 7°C.
Tuesday will be windy with sunny spells and scattered showers, some hail-laden showers in the Atlantic coastal counties and highs of 7°C to 10°C.
Met Eireann said early indications suggest Wednesday will be a cool and breezy day with spells of sunshine and scattered showers with highs generally in the 6C to 9C range.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.