“Cloudy and misty in most areas this morning with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Falls of sleet or wet snow are possible for a time in Ulster and north Leinster, but mainly over high ground.

“The rain will turn light and patchy this afternoon with good dry periods developing. Milder air will extend to Munster with afternoon highs of 10 or 11 degrees.

“However, colder elsewhere with maximum temperatures of just 1 to 5 degrees. Fresh westerly breezes in the south but winds will be light and variable elsewhere.”