What we know about the next cold sweep ahead of St Patrick's Day weekend

Spring may very well have sprung over the weekend, however, the seemingly rising temperatures are set to drop later this week.

Met Éireann has confirmed temperatures could drop to sub-zero levels between Wednesday and Friday but possibly reaching temperatures no higher than 10 degrees over the weekend ahead of St. Patrick's Day.

Tonight, Tuesday, March 11 will be cold with a mix of cloud and clear spells. Scattered showers will continue to feed southwards over the country, with the occasional wintry fall about high ground. Lows of -1 to +4 degrees with some frost forming in light to moderate northerly breezes, fresh to strong near coasts.

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Wednesday, March 12 will be cool and a little breezy with variable cloud amounts and sunshine. Although many places will have a largely dry day, there will be a few light showers in the mix, mainly in eastern and southeastern parts. Highest temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees in mostly moderate northerly winds.

Wednesday night is set to be cold with a mix of cloud and clear spells and dry apart from a few coastal showers in the northwest and southeast. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees with some frost forming in light northerly or variable breezes.

Thursday will see some bright or sunny breaks to begin in the morning but becoming mostly cloudy into the afternoon with a few light showers developing. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in light to moderate northerly breezes.

Cloud breaking with a few clear spells developing early on Thursday night. Cloud will build from the west and north overnight with outbreaks of rain pushing in from the Atlantic overnight. Some sleet is possible, mainly about high ground. Winds will fall light northwest or variable. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees with frost and icy patches forming.

Friday will see rain break up into bright spells and showers in the morning. Some showers of hail and sleet are possible for a time but the showers will become increasingly isolated through the afternoon with dry conditions and sunny spells developing for most by the end the day.

Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with light to moderate mainly northeast winds. Turning cold under clearing skies on Friday night. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees in light northeast or variable breezes with frost and icy patches forming.

Saturday is set to be mainly dry and bright or sunny to begin with frost and icy patches clearing in the morning. Cloud tending to build for the afternoon with highest temperatures 7 to 9 degrees in a light east to northeast breeze.

As for the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend, mostly dry conditions look set to persist. Cloud amounts a little uncertain at this stage. Light to moderate easterly breezes on Sunday. Potentially a bit breezier on Monday, St. Patricks Day with moderate to fresh easterly winds. Daytime highs around 7 to 10 degrees.