Weather warning: cold days ahead for Ireland with a high chance of snow

Freezing temperatures and frost as the nation awakes on Thursday, with the chilly weather lasting across the weekend.

As if the chilling financial situation weren't bad enough, the weather promises to be a pain in the arse over the days to come, according to Met Eireann.

Drivers are being warned to take extra care on the roads as frost will be joined in some areas by hail, sleet, rain and snow.

After overnight temperatures dipping to -3C with widespread frosts, Thursday will be cold and mostly dry, followed by another sharp frost on Thursday night.

Sub-zero

It will remain very cold right into next week. A spell of rain and sleet is expected to move down from Donegal and may well be preceded by some snow in the midlands and Leinster, with more sub-zero temperatures.

Friday will again be cold with top temperatures in single figures followed by a night of sleet and snow across some inland areas, especially over high ground.

Although cold and breezy over the weekend (with yet more frosty nights) there will be some dry bright weather.

That's the good news, but for eastern parts of the country and parts of the north coast there'll be rain, hail and sleet showers, with some snow likely inland in Leinster.