Met Éireann subzero weather forecast as they give St Patrick's Day update

Met Éireann is predicting the proverbial mixed bag this week with rain, flooding, subzero temperatures and break with sunny spells all in the forecast.

Their national outlook says things will be "generally unsettled" for the rest of the week "with rain and showers but there will be some dry and sunny weather at times."

A Status Orange weather warning for rain and flooding in Cork and Kerry lapses at noon on Thursday while a similar Status Yellow warning for Waterford comes into effect at noon on Wednesday and will be in placer until noon on Thursday.

There will be plenty of rain elsewhere and we're not out of the winter woods yet with temperatures overnight this week dipping close to zero. They could hit -1 on Friday night before a little change for the weekend.

Met Éireann says Wednesday will be "cloudy and damp across the bulk of the country with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Heavy falls in places, especially in the south and southwest with the chance of flooding. However, drier weather will develop in the north and northwest later this morning and during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees with fresh southwest winds easing through the day. Unusually high tides may cause coastal wave overtopping."

They add that Wednesday night will bring "some dry weather for a time in the north and northwest, but outbreaks of rain in other areas will extend nationwide overnight. Further heavy falls, especially in the southwest with the possibility of flooding. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in north Ulster but ranging from 7 to 10 degrees elsewhere with a moderate southerly breeze developing.

"Another mostly cloudy and wet day on Thursday with spells of rain, heavy at times with the chance of flooding in the south and southwest. Some drier and brighter spells may develop in Munster and south Leinster later in the day. Top temperatures generally ranging 11 to 14 degrees but a little cooler in the northwest. Fresh south to southwest breezes developing through the day.

"Showery outbreaks of rain on Thursday night along with areas of mist and drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with mostly light and variable winds.

"It looks set to start mostly cloudy and damp on Friday with scattered patches of rain, drizzle and mist. However, drier and brighter weather will extend from the west through the late morning and afternoon. A fine and mostly sunny late afternoon and evening is expected nationwide.

"Maximum afternoon temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a moderate northwest breeze [on Friday]. Cold and clear early on Friday night with a touch of frost possible with lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with mostly light winds over land. However, cloud will thicken from the south later in the night and rain will move in across Munster and Connacht by dawn on Saturday."

Looking at the weekend, Met Éireann says "rain will extend nationwide on Saturday morning accompanied by freshening southeasterly winds. The rain will clear to the northeast in the evening but showers will follow from the Atlantic. Maximum afternoon temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in the north and 10 to 13 degrees further south. Rather cloudy on Saturday night with scattered showers and some areas of mist and drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in moderate southwest winds."

For St Patrick's Day, they say "mist and low cloud is expected to clear on Sunday to leave a day of sunny spells and scattered showers. However, there is the chance of a spell of persistent rain developing in the southwest later. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees in a moderate southwest breeze.

"Early indications are that Monday will see overnight rain clear to sunshine and showers. However, a further spell of rain is likely to move in from the Atlantic later in the day. Maximum temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees in moderate southwest winds," the latest forecast concludes.