Hat and scarf season is officially here as plunging temperatures are expected to hit this week

Met Eireann have warned of a very sudden drop in temperature over the coming days as temperatures plunge to freezing.

The next couple of days are expected to be frosty and scattered showers and outbreaks of rain are also on the cards.

The national forecaster has described the weather in coming days as "changeable".

In their overview for the rest of the week, Met Eireann said: "Changeable weather and relatively cold for October with some frost likely on Thursday and Friday night."

Today

Fresh today with any showers in Ulster and Leinster this morning tending to clear. Elsewhere, it will be mostly dry with sunny spells and just isolated showers. By afternoon, much of the country will be dry and bright with sunny spells and just a few passing showers.

Maximum temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees in fresh northerly winds. Cold and dry in many areas tonight with clear spells. However, a few showers will affect the northwest and there is also the chance of a few showers drifting in from the Irish Sea to affect parts of east Leinster.

Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light northwest breezes with a touch of frost possible.

Tomorrow

Most areas will be dry on Thursday, October 10 with plenty of sunshine and just a few well-scattered showers.

A relatively cold day for October with maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate north to northwest winds. Cold on Thursday night with the risk of frost in many areas away from Atlantic coastal fringes.

It will be largely dry overnight with clear skies but there is the chance of one or two showers in the northwest. Minimum temperatures generally ranging from 0 to 3 degrees but less cold along the Atlantic seaboard. Some mist or fog patches forming also.