Weather outlook - snow and ice set to return after wet and blustery start

Monday will begin with widespread showers merging to longer spells of rain later by lunchtime.

Moderate to fresh southwest winds in the early part of the day will lead to temperatures of 8°C to 10°C. But as the winds veer northerly through the morning temperatures will drop to between around 5°C by the afternoon. This change of wind direction could see the rain turn to wintry showers especially on higher ground.

By evening, fresh northerly winds are expected to increase to strong and gusty.

Monday night will be cool with temperatures likely to drop to 4°C or lower in northerly winds backing northwesterly by morning.

Tuesday looks like being cold and blustery with strong north westerly and westerly winds bringing wintry showers with a good chance of sleet and snow. Temperatures are not expected to exceed 5°C and windchill could leave it feeling much colder. 

Winds are forecast to drop by Tuesday evening, bringing clear spells and a further drop in temperature to as low as -2°C overnight.

Wednesday looks set to start cold and overcast, with rain by evening lasting into Thursday when temperatures will rise to around 10°C in light southerly winds.

As of now, St Patrick's Day looks like getting off to a dry start with rain by the afternoon in temperatures of up to 10°C, but it is a bit too early to say for sure.