WARNING: Met Éireann's five-day forecast confirms the worst possible news...
It's coming!
Met Éireann's five-day forecast all but confirms the cold snap we've been hearing about in forecasts over recent days.
The national forecaster states that from "Tuesday on it is expected to be colder with the chance of any showers turning to sleet and snow, although currently all indications suggest it will stay largely dry".
Forecast Alan O'Reilly also added: "Latest charts rolling out showing a real blast of cold air very likely next week now.
"Windchill will feel bitter next Tuesday and Wednesday and a risk of some wintry showers but largely dry for most on current outlook."
Back to this week first and...
Friday will be a largely dry day with just isolated showers, mainly across Ulster.
A good deal of cloud but sunny spells will develop in places, especially in the southwest and west.
Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in a light east to northeast breeze.
Friday night will be mainly dry and cloudy. Lowest temperatures of minus 1 to plus 2 degrees in a light variable or northerly breeze.
Saturday and Sunday will both be mainly dry and cloudy with an isolated light shower. Temperatures in the afternoon of 6 or 7 degrees with light northerly or variable breezes.
Saturday night and Sunday night will see temperatures down to near freezing or slightly below with light variable winds.
Winds will become northerly on Monday and freshen. There'll be scattered showers, some turning to sleet or snow on the hills and mountains.
Day time temperatures of 5 or 6 degrees in the north, still 7 or 8 degrees further to the south.
Monday night will be very cold with temperatures dropping well below freezing as colder air moves over the country from the north.
From Tuesday on it is expected to be colder with the chance of any showers turning to sleet and snow, although currently all indications suggest it will stay largely dry.