LIVE: Ireland cold snap weather forecast with snow pinpointed for one area

Weather forecasters are predicting a sharp downturn in temperatures next week with snow even being forecast in some isolated areas.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has indicated that temperatures of around 17 degree over the weekend will be replaced by daytime temperatures around 7 degree next week as night-time temps dip below freezing.

"Spring has sprung? Or has it? Well we’ll get a brief taste of spring on Sunday before we see much colder conditions return for next week as temperatures take a tumble on the back of a rather cold easterly airflow developing, which could even bring some snow to higher ground in the east of the country," Cathal explained.

"Overcast conditions are forecast for today and tomorrow with some outbreaks of rain expected, especially through parts of the south and southeast in particular. Elsewhere there’ll be a good deal of dry weather but it will be overcast with light to moderate southeasterly winds and highs of 9-12 degrees Celsius.

"On Sunday a pool of warmer air is expected to circulate around the northern flank of the low pressure spinning in the Bay of Biscay that brings today and tomorrows rain, but on Sunday the skies will clear allowing more widespread sunshine and with that warmer air temperatures could hit 17 degrees Celsius in parts of the west of the country. More like 12-13 closer to the east coast, with some cloud likely here too.

"To quote Yeats 'all changed, changed utterly' as we head into next week as high pressure anchors itself to our north, allowing a cold easterly airflow to develop across the country with sharp to severe night frosts returning. While many areas will remain completely dry next week some showers are possible along the east coast, with a chance of some snow on the Wicklow Mountains. Highs of 5-7 degrees generally next week, with lows down to -2 or -3 degrees Celsius under clear skies in the midwest and west," Cathal's forecast concluded.

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Meanwhile, Met Éireann's outlook for next week says: "The current indications for the further outlook is for mainly dry weather with a drop in temperatures leading to cold and frosty conditions."

They add that "sunny spells in the morning tomorrow [Saturday] will give way to cloudier conditions with patchy rain in the afternoon. Highest temperatures 12 to 15 degrees with moderate to fresh east to southeast winds.

"Becoming mostly dry overnight Saturday night as any lingering rain clears northern coasts. Some clear spells developing, with lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees in light to moderate northeasterly breezes.

"Dry across most areas on Sunday with spells sunshine and just light to moderate east to northeast winds. Highest temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees, highest away from eastern counties.

"Continuing mostly dry overnight Sunday night with long clear spells developing in the east and south. Becoming cloudier elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees with light to moderate northerly winds.

"Generally dry with sunny spells on Monday and just isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees in a moderate to fresh northeast wind - highest across southern counties.

"Continuing mostly dry on Tuesday with sunny spells. Possibly becoming cloudier later on with some light rain developing along northern coastal areas. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds," Met Éireann concluded.