Up to date weather forecast for the rest of the week

Met Éireann is forecasting some of the heavist snow seen in Ireland for over 35 years this week as the so-called Beast from the East moves over the country. The cold weather will continue into the weekend but will be most severe of Thursday and Friday.

Tuesday

Snow will begin to fall in the east early in the afternoon while there will be further scattered snow showers Tuesday night accumulating to significant levels, perhaps 6cm in some eastern and Midlands counties. The highest level of accumulations will be across Leinster and east Munster but the showers will carry westwards. There's a risk of some showers bringing a rumble of thunder. Lowest temperatures will range minus 3 to minus 6 degrees, in a moderate to fresh northeasterly wind.

SEE ALSO: Met Éireann upgrades warning to Status Orange as 'Beast from the East' looms

Wednesday

There'll be further scattered falls of snow across Ireland. These snow showers will be heaviest and most frequent across the eastern half of the country, with further accumulations expected, especially for east Leinster, however, all areas will be at risk. Day time temperatures of minus 1 to plus 2 degrees. Fresh to strong and gusty easterly winds will make it feel colder, owing to a significant wind chill factor. Lying snow through the day.

There'll be further snow showers on Wednesday night. All along the east and south coasts will be most affected leading to further accumulations, the showers will drift through the midlands and into western areas at times. Lowest temperatures will be between minus 5 and minus 7 degrees. There will also be a significant wind chill factor, making it feel even colder, in fresh to strong easterly winds. 

Thursday

Temperatures during the day on Thursday are expected to be between minus 2 and plus 2 degrees. There will be strong and gusty easterly winds which will give a wind chill as low as minus 10 at times. During the day there will be further scattered snow showers, which will become increasingly heavy and frequent. Thursday evening and in to Thursday night will bring the worst of the snow with widespread showers throughout the country. Winds will be strong and gusty and temperatures will be down to minus 4 degrees. With the strong winds and persistent falls of snow, accumulations will increase and there'll be blizzard conditions and drifting likely. Southern coastal areas will also experience high seas. Snow levels could surpass 20cm.

Friday

Present indications from Met Éireann are for further falls of heavy snow and windy conditions into Friday. With temperatures staying around freezing, especially over lying snow. Once again there will be an added wind chill factor, making it feel particularly cold, in fresh to strong and gusty easterly winds. 

Weekend

There is a level of uncertainty through the weekend with a complex area of low pressure to the south bringing further spells of wintry precipitation.