Temperatures to plunge again next week with chance of sleet and hail

Temperatures are set to plunge again midway through next week, with a chance of sleet and hail falling in some areas.

Met Éireann said a brief return to slightly milder conditions would make way for a widespread chilly spell, with figures falling as low as -2 degrees Celsius at night.

A Met Éireann forecaster said it would turn "progressively colder" through the coming week with an increasing chance of frost and icy patches and the potential for some wintry precipitation at times.

Monday will begin with some patchy light rain and drizzle, while clearer and sunnier conditions will extend from the north as the day progresses. Temperatures will range from 6 to 10 degrees during the day, before dropping as low as -2 degrees at night in some areas.

Met Éireann said Tuesday will be a dry day with plenty of sunshine for most, with afternoon highs ranging from 5 to 8 degrees. Overnight temperatures will range from 3 to -2 degrees, with frost and icy patches likely.

Wednesday will be a cloudier day overall, and mist and fog could be quite slow to clear in the morning, Met Éireann said. Maximum temperatures will range 4 to 7 degrees generally, coldest in the north. Nighttime lows will again fall to between 2 and -2 degrees.

There is a risk of sleet and hail showers on Thursday on what is likely to be the coldest day of the week, Met Éireann said, with afternoon highs of just 2 to 6 degrees.

Met Éireann said the forecast for Friday and next weekend suggests plenty of dry and bright weather in a cold northerly airflow. It said uncertainty increases from Sunday, however.