Met Eireann is downplaying reports of major snowfall this weekend. However, they have warned that a cold snap is likely with wintry showers in many areas. 

The outlook for Saturday will be wet and breezy weather during the first half of the night, with rain clearing eastwards later. Clear spells will develop but showers will feed in from the Atlantic, some of which will turn wintry on higher ground across Atlantic coastal counties towards dawn.

Saturday will be a cold night, but moderate to fresh westerly winds should prevent any significant ground frost - mainly in sheltered spots. Lowest temperatures 0 to 4 degrees Celsius, coldest over Ulster. 

However, on Sunday, it will be bitterly cold and rather blustery. Good spells of sunshine but scattered showers too - mainly affecting the western half of the country. Some of the showers will be wintry in nature, with snow on western and northern hills and possibly some sleet on lower levels here. A flurries or two is possibly on higher ground further east.

Highest temperatures on Sunday will be just 3 to 6 degrees Celsius, in a fairly fresh westerly breeze. Similar conditions persisting overnight. Cold with some frost as winds moderate, with some snow accumulation possible in the north overnight.

Information supplied by Met Éireann.