Ireland Irish weather forecast: 'Colder than normal' week ahead with sleet, sharp frosts and icy patches

© Stock Frosty weather The big chill is setting in as a freezing cold spell strikes Ireland.

Met Eireann revealed we'll see "colder than normal" temperatures this week with sleet, a risk of hail, sharp frosts and icy patches.

A spokesperson said: "A cold start this morning with sharp frost and icy patches widely."

However, the frost and patchy fog will lift to reveal a mainly dry day with sunny spells and light winds.

It'll become cloudy with rain in the west in the late afternoon.

Temperatures will remain in single figures with highs of just 5C to 9C.

Heading into tonight, rain will spread countrywide and recur early tonight as southerly winds freshen. A clearance to passing showers will follow to all areas from the west overnight. 

New Boil Water Notice statement from Irish Water as Dublin hit with weather warning for rain by Met Eireann

They said they are "monitoring the situation closely"The company confirmed that the notice was still in place for the 600,000 affected customers and that they were unsure what the impact of the warning would have on the current situation.

Forecasters say the weather will be "changeable" from Monday, with strong winds, clouds and outbreaks Brits have enjoyed unseasonably warm weather this week , with the mercury reaching 18C in " Frost and ice will mean morning of scraping car windscreens and watching out for icy patches .

Another cold and in places frosty or icy start. Wintry showers for northern Scotland, Northern Ireland and Some uncertainties with the forecast for the rest of the week but it's likely to remain cold with spells The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news

© Collins Photos Frosty weather at Botanic Gardens in Dublin (stock image) The showers will become heavy towards morning with risk of hail in the west.

And it'll be a freezing night with lows of 1C to 3C and a slight frost in sheltered inland areas. Winds will become blustery as they veer west.

Looking ahead to Monday, Met Eireann revealed it will be "very blustery with sunny spells and occasional showers."

The showers will be most frequent and heaviest in the west and north with the risk of hail but there will be dry spells too - best in the east.

It will continue to feel chilly with highs of just of 6C to 9C.

Monday night will be cold and blustery with occasional showers - most frequent across the north and west.

The outlook for the coming days is for "colder than normal" conditions with variable rainfall distribution.

Rain, hail...and maybe snow as cold snap kicks in across country

Rain, hailand maybe snow as cold snap kicks in across country © Getty Crisis as ‘Beast from East' looms While snow is predicted in areas on mountains and hills, a band of rain from the Atlantic will bring sleet, rain and even thunder in some parts of the country.

Summary: Changeable weather continuing. Cold , with below normal temperatures and with a risk of Cold , with frost and a risk, of icy patches . Fog patches also, as winds slacken. Min. minus 3 to Weather : Visibility: Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Fair Head to Howth Head to Carnsore Point

The weather in Ireland this week is set to turn very cold as Met Eireann have issued a warning. The Irish national forecaster said on Monday: “Very cold this week with scattered wintry showers, frequent across the southwest "There is the possibility of a more significant spell of sleet /snow on Thursday."

There's a risk of sleet in parts of the country later in the week, especially over high ground in the north on Wednesday night and in the east on Thursday.

MORE NEWS:

Ana Kriegel's killers to get new identities (Irish Mirror)