ALERT: Irish weather forecast predicts thunderstorms and snow beginning of March

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with occasional rain and drizzle and patchy mist. Some drier intervals also. Rain will turn more persistent in the west this evening, spreading eastwards later.

Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 with moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty south to southwest winds, increasing strong near western coasts this evening.

Outbreaks of rain will gradually clear eastwards by midnight with clear spells and showers following from the west. Some of shower will turn heavy with a chance of hail in the west towards morning.

Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees with moderate to fresh west to southwest winds, strong and gusty near western coasts easing light to moderate inland overnight.

THURSDAY: It will be cold with sunny spells and shower, some heavy with hail and lightning. The showers will be most frequent over the western half of the country, with longer drier intervals further east, especially through the morning.

Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with west to southwest winds increasing moderate to fresh and gusty.

OVERVIEW: Continuing cold for Friday and the weekend with wintry showers at times and with frost at night..

THURSDAY: Thursday night will be cold with showery rain spreading from the west and turning heavy in some spots. The rain will fall as sleet at times with snow possible on high ground. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees with frost and ice forming in places.

Moderate to fresh southerly winds will ease towards morning.

FRIDAY: A cold start to March with sunny spells and showers. Some showers may fall as hail or sleet, with a chance of snow on high ground and with isolated thunderstorms possible.

Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees with light to moderate north to northwest winds.

Friday night will be cold with clear spells and some wintry showers. Frost and icy patches will develop also. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees.

SATURDAY: It will continue cold with sunny spells and scattered showers, possibly turning wintry in places.

Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees with moderate to fresh northwesterly winds.

Saturday night will be cold with clear spells and some wintry showers. Frost and icy patches will develop also.

Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees.

SUNDAY: It will be another cold day with sunny spells and scattered showers, a few possibly wintry.

Highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees with light to moderate westerly breezes. Sunday night will be cold with frost and icy patches developing.

Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees.

MONDAY: On Monday, some rain is likely over the southern half of Ireland and Monday night will be cold with frost and icy patches.

TUESDAY: It looks like being mainly dry and a bit milder than previous days.