“Rain and drizzle in many places this evening and early tonight, clearing before midnight,” Met Eireann has said about weather outlook for the weekend.

Tonight will be mainly dry and rather cloudy in many areas, but there will be some clear spells especially in eastern areas, with some light showers are likely at times in the west and northwest, the meteorological service said.

Temperatures at their lowest will be between 3-6 degrees C, it says.

Met Eireann is promising bright spells in eastern areas on Saturday morning, but it will be mostly cloudy. Rain and drizzle in western areas will become persistent and heavy by noon, it says.

Countrywide it is expected to turn wet and very windy in the afternoon with Met Eireann issuing a status orange wind warning for Donegal and western counties. Gusts of up to 130km/h, are likely on exposed coasts and headland, it says.

Met Eireann has put a status yellow wind warning in place for most of Leinster and part of Munster until Sunday afternoon.

“Sunday will be cold and blustery with a mix of sunshine and showers of rain or hail. A few may be thundery,” it says.

Sunday’s showers will become increasingly wintry with snow accumulations likely later in the night, especially on higher groud, Met Eireann says. Frost and icy patches will develop and temperatures will be between -2 and +2 degrees, its says.

“Monday will be very cold with sunny spells and wintry showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow. Some will be thundery. Highest temperatures of just 4 to 7 degrees with moderate to fresh westerly winds. The showers will continue on Monday night, with further accumulations of snow as well as frost and icy patches. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees,” Met Eireann says.