Torrential rain to be followed by snow and freezing temperatures as big change coming in the weather

As torrential rain lashes much of the country today, there is a big change coming in the weather with snow, wintry showers and freezing temperatures forecast. 

According to Met Eireann, over the next few days temperatures will drop below freezing at night leading to icy stretches on roads. The drop in temperatures will also see possible wintry showers which will turn to snow in places. 

The Met Office in the UK has issued a Status Yellow Snow Warning for all of Northern Ireland from early Thursday through Friday.

UPDATE: MET EIREANN ISSUES SNOW AND ICE WARNINGS FOR PARTS OF IRELAND - TAP TO SEE MORE

According to Met Eireann, rain will continue to gradually clear southwards during this afternoon and evening with clear but locally icy conditions into the evening.

It will turn colder through the day with highest afternoon temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees generally, milder in southern parts until later in the day. Fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds will veer northwest to north and ease as the rain clears.

Most areas will be dry and clear tonight but some wintry showers are possible near northern coasts. It will be cold with frost and ice as temperatures fall to between -2 and +2 degrees, in a light west to northwest wind.

According to Met Eireann, Wednesday morning will be cold with frost and icy stretches. It will be mostly dry apart from the chance of isolated showers in the northwest. 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. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in a light and variable wind.

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.

According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, 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.

The weather will stay unsettled on Friday 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.

Friday night: 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.