A cold snap is set to hit Ireland over the coming days and disruptive snow showers are likely, according to Met Eireann.

A Status Yellow weather advisory warning has been issued for the entire country this afternoon.

Exceptionally cold weather is forecast for the next week, with significant wind chill and severe frosts.

Disruptive snow showers are expected from Tuesday onwards, particularly in the east and south-east, Met Eireann explained.

Issued at 12:00pm today, the warning will remain in place for an entire week – until 12:00pm on Friday, March 2.

Forecast

Today, Friday, is expected to be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells; the best of the sunshine is likely in the north.

However, there will be a few patches of mist and drizzle – especially in the south and south-west of the country. Temperatures will vary from 5º to 8º, in fresh to strong southeasterly winds.

Conditions are forecast to remain largely dry overnight, with a mix of cloud and clear spells. Mist and drizzle will affect some southern and western coasts and hills.

Frost may form where skies clear, with temperatures dipping to as low as -1º; but, falling to just 3º or 4º under cloud cover, Met Eireann added.

Over the coming days, there will be good opportunities for both drying and spraying.

The Irish meteorological office also explained that land has been very wet up to mid-February; but, an improvement is starting to happen. There will be a gradual increase in soil moisture deficits going forward, Met Eireann concluded.