Temperatures set to plunge over weekend with possibility of snow

Temperatures are set to plunge over the weekend with Met Éireann predicting 'transient falls of sleet' on Friday night. 

Carlow Weather has predicted falls of snow in the north and some higher areas. 

According to Met Éireann, there will be cloudy periods and some sunny spells on Friday along with some scattered showers for much of the country, some of which will be heavy, especially in the north.

Some localised flooding is possible in northern counties. There will be highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in fresh and gusty westerly breezes.

Friday night will see some clear spells at first tonight with just isolated showers. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with some frost and icy stretches forming with light breezes. However, cloud will build from the southwest, turning milder as the rain follows, extending northeastwards over much of the country by morning, accompanied by fresh to strong and gusty southeasterly winds. There is a chance of transient falls of sleet on the leading edge of the rain, Met Éireann says.

On new year's eve, it will be breezy or windy with sunny spells and scattered showers and a chance of hail. Fresh to strong and gusty westerly or cyclonic variable winds will gradually decrease moderate to fresh and gusty through the day. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees generally.

Showers will continue on Sunday night, mainly for Atlantic counties with longer spells of rain possible in the northwest. Some frost or ice will form with lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in mostly moderate westerly winds.

New Year's Day will see sunny spells and scattered showers at first, becoming more isolated through the morning and early afternoon. Cloud will build from the southwest with rain following, extending northeastwards over much of the country by night-time. Highest afternoon temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds, backing southeasterly and increasing moderate to fresh with the rain.