Snow in Met Éireann weather forecast with frost and ice promised

Met Éireann has put Laois and the rest of Ireland on alert for snow in a wintry weather blast.

The forecaster's outlook overview is for cold with frost and icy stretches and the possibility of wintry falls of sleet or snow at times. The cold blast will begin on Wednesday lasting through to at least Friday.

Met Éireann has already issued snow weather warnings for some counties on Thursday. Met Éireann has not yet indicated how much snow is expected but Ireland's Weather channel expects between 5-10cm of snow is forecast with higher quantities in parts. 

More details below Met Éireann forecast.

National Forecast issued on February 6 by Met Éireann.

Wednesday: The morning will be cold with frost and icy stretches. It will be mostly dry apart from the chance of an isolated shower in the north. Otherwise, there'll be hazy sunny spells at first, but cloud will spread from the south through the day and patchy rain will develop in the south and southwest before nightfall. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in a light and variable wind. National Outlook

Rain or sleet will extend across Munster, Connacht and Leinster on Wednesday night and snow is possible on higher ground. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees in a light to moderate east to northeast wind, freshening later.

Thursday: Rain and sleet will move further north on Thursday, clearing to scattered showers in the south later. Snow is possible in northern areas, especially on higher ground. Cold and breezy, with highest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees, milder further south in a moderate to fresh northeasterly wind.

Rain and sleet will continue over the northern half of the country on Thursday night, with scattered showers further south. Further falls of snow are possible on higher ground in the north. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 3 degrees with a moderate to fresh east to northeast wind.

Friday: Staying unsettled with showers or spells of rain or sleet. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees generally, milder in the south, with a moderate to fresh northeasterly wind.

Showers or spells of rain and possible sleet will continue into Friday night. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 3 degrees with a light northerly or variable breeze.

Saturday: Current indications suggest Saturday will be a mainly cloudy and wet day with further spells of rain or showers. Highest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees with a mainly light cyclonic variable breeze.

Further outlook: Staying cold and unsettled for the remainder of the weekend.