Friday

Many areas will start off dry on Friday with sunny spells, Met Éireann has said.

Showers will mainly feed into eastern and western coastal counties during the morning, extending further inland during the afternoon and evening.

Some wintry falls are possible in the southwest on higher ground later.

Cold, with highest temperatures of 4°C to 7°C.

By night, clear spells and well-scattered showers on Friday.

There will be a risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Frost and possible icy stretches too, with lowest temperatures of -2°C to 2°C.

Saturday

A cold and mostly cloudy day on Saturday, with scattered showers across the east.

Showers may merge into longer spells of rain across some eastern counties, with the risk of hail there.

Highest temperatures of 4°C to 7°C.

Some showers across eastern counties, otherwise mostly dry under broken cloud by night.

Some frost and possible ice, with lowest temperatures of -1°C to 2°C.

Sunday

Colder again on Sunday, with highest temperatures of just 2°C to 5°C in a brisk northeast wind.

However, most areas will stay fully dry, albeit cloudy. Isolated wintry showers may occur.

Very cold, with a widespread frost and ice on Sunday night.

Scattered wintry showers will move into eastern counties and across northern coasts, with a dusting of snow possible.

Lowest temperatures of -3°C to 0°C.

Week ahead

Current indications suggest it will turn even colder into next week, with sharp to severe frost and ice.

Falls of sleet and snow are expected, mainly over east Leinster for the early days of the week.

Management notes

Sheep

While early lambing flocks are typically well prepared with regards to lambing facilities, the other important aspect is to ensure ewes are adequately supplemented in early lactation, writes Darren Carty.

Tillage

With many winter rape crops planted a bit late last autumn, it may be worth considering a small amount of nitrogen to begin to drive canopy growth in backward crops, writes Andy Doyle.

Beef

Adam Woods takes a look at pregnancy loss, Johne's disease and phoning a farmer in February.

Dairy

Aidan Brennan looks at the benefits of an improvement in the weather over the coming weeks.