Following an exceptionally mild start to the New Year, today has been much colder and its likely to stay that way through Saturday according to Met Eireann.

However, it also says that latest indications suggest it will fell milder again on Sunday, with southerly winds coming into effect and milder still for the early days of next week.

Meanwhile, an active weather system in the Atlantic is set to impact on our weather tonight.

According to Met Eireann’s latest forecast early tonight, it will be dry and clear apart from coastal showers in the north and west. Southwesterly winds will decrease further and temperatures will fall to between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius, resulting in sharp ground frost and possibly icy patches.

However, Met Eireann also says rain arriving in the southwest and west by midnight will spread countrywide overnight. The rain is likely to be heavy at times in southern counties and will turn to sleet at times elsewhere.

Met Eireann says Saturday will begin overcast with further spells of rain or sleet, and some snow on mountains.

However, it says the rain and sleet will clear by early afternoon and the rest of the day will be mostly sunny.

Met Eireann says ice, frost and fog will clear slowly during Sunday morning. The day will be cold and bright, with sunny spells.

Forecasts suggest a few showers are possible, but most places will be dry, in a moderate southerly breeze. Top temperatures 6 to 10 C, best values along the south coast.