It may be time to finally dust off those snow boots as temperatures plummet below freezing on Thursday evening.
Snow has fallen in Co Donegal. Retired Met Éireann forecaster Brendan Flanagan said the "first genuine snow of the year"has fallen on the Sliabh Sneacht mountain in Co Donegal.
“Sliabh Sneacht was dusted last year but this is the first genuine snow of the year,” said Mr Flanagan, who witnessed the snowfall from his home in Inishowen overnight.
“There are also storm force winds here and we have phenomenal seas around the northeast coast of Inishowen,” he added.
He said waves of about 60ft were “crashing into the shore at Glengad”.
Although snow is quite common this time of year in Co Donegal, the “unprecedented wave heights” are new, said Mr Flanagan.
Weather around the country is forecast to be bitterly cold on Thursday evening as temperatures fall to as low as -3 degrees.
Heavy showers
Met Éireann predicted heavy showers and hail on Thursday afternoon which could turn to snow on higher ground.
Met Éireann meteorologist Joanna Donnelly says there is a “very good chance” of more snow, particularly on higher ground over hills and mountains.
“Overnight tonight is going to turn very cold with the likelihood of showers turning to snow on higher ground.”
She advised motorists to take extra care on Friday due to an expected build-up of ice on the roads overnight.
Strong winds which have seen an orange weather alert in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare with gusts of up to 130km per hour are expected to ease off by Thursday afternoon.
Met Éireann has downgraded its weather status to a yellow alert, warning of heavy rain into Thursday evening and overnight in Munster, South Leinster and Galway.
The forecaster is predicting temperatures of 4-5 degrees in the north of the country on Friday, with milder temperatures of 8-9 degrees in coastal areas.
Saturday is expected to be cold but temperatures are due to rise throughout the weekend, bringing milder weather with bright sunny spells and scattered showers.
