Cold snap to take hold across Mayo from Tuesday night

Mayo and the wider Connacht region can expect a mixed bag of sunshine and scattered showers on Tuesday, with conditions turning noticeably colder as the day progresses.

Heavier showers are likely in northern parts of the province, where Met Éireann says there is a chance of hail.

It will become increasingly breezy from the afternoon, as west to northwest winds freshen and later swing northerly, bringing stronger gusts along coastal areas.

Daytime temperatures will range from 6 to 10 degrees, but the added wind chill will make it feel colder.

An arctic airmass moving down over the country on Tuesday night will introduce a sharper cold spell for several days.

While many areas will enjoy bright, dry spells, showers will continue, particularly in the north and west with some turning wintry.

Sleet, hail, and even snow are possible, especially on higher ground in northern counties.

Frost and icy patches are expected to become widespread on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Conditions are forecast to turn less cold towards the end of the week, though the weather will become more unsettled.

TUESDAY NIGHT

A cold and mostly dry night is expected across much of the country, though scattered showers will persist in the north and northwest, with a few drifting into western areas.

Some of these showers will turn increasingly wintry, bringing sleet and the possibility of snow over higher ground.

It will remain rather windy early in the night with fresh, gusty northerly winds, especially along exposed coasts.

Winds will ease somewhat overnight away from coastal areas.

Temperatures are set to fall to between -1 and +3 degrees, leading to frost and icy patches, particularly in sheltered locations.