LATEST: Temps could get as low as -7 across Ireland, experts warn

Online weather experts are predicting that temperatures could plunge as low as -7 degrees Celsius this week.

Irish Weather Online said Thursday will be very cold with northerly winds and snow or hail showers.

Temperatures could reach as low as -3 Celsius.

Friday will see colder conditions with scattered wintry showers and the mercury could drop to -7 at night.

An Irish Weather Online spokesperson said: "The weekend will remain quite cold with perhaps more sunshine and fewer wintry showers but these could be locally heavy near higher terrain, lows around -5 C and highs around 3 C."

The spokesperson added: "It's still rather unclear how long this cold spell might last or whether this is as severe as it will become, or perhaps an even stronger push of cold with greater snow potential might follow."