Could Laois have sneactha on St Patrick's Day? Snow in Met Éireann weather forecast

Snow could be on the ground for St Patrick's Day with Met Éireann warning that Ireland is set to be gripped by a cold snap that will bring wintry showers and chilly conditions in the lead into March 17.

The weather outlook from Met Éireann flagged the incoming cold conditions that will also coincide with Ireland's Six Nations Rugby clash with Scotland.

The forecaster warns that a mobile Atlantic regime will bring rain or showers each day this week. High winds are also on the cards at times with the transition to cooler conditions later Thursday. Some wintry showers and thunderstorms into Friday. The cooler conditions are set to persist during the with more wintry showers forecasted over the weekend.

The forecaster's farming section says the weather will be unsettled this week, with above normal rain nationwide, with two or three times the norm expected in some areas.

The section also says temperatures will be near or above normal at first this week, but it will get colder later in the week with "frost and wintry precipitation" possible from Thursday night onwards.

The conditions for St Patrick's Day are not outlined, but a 10-day Met Éireann weather chart shows a band of rain crossing the country on March 17.

National Weather Forecast issued at 11.30 am on March 10.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle at first today, although some limited bright spells for a time. More persistent rain will spread from the west this afternoon and evening. Becoming breezy or windy as the day goes on with moderate to fresh and gusty south to southwest winds developing and becoming strong at times in the west and northwest. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees.

Outbreaks of rain will clear eastwards this evening and early Tuesday night, followed by clear spells and scattered showers extending from the west. It'll be windy, especially in the west and northwest, with fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds, gradually easing moderate to fresh southwest to west by morning. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees. A few mist patches are possible.

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Wednesday: Dry and bright for most tomorrow with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Cloud will build from the west towards the evening. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees, with moderate to fresh west to southwest winds.

Becoming windy overnight with showery outbreaks of rain developing, heaviest for northwest counties. Southwesterly winds will increase fresh to strong and gusty too. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.

Thursday: Wet and windy with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, along with fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds. Highest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees. Some hail and lightning will occur also.

Cold with scattered blustery wintry showers, mainly affecting Atlantic counties at night. Some lying snow is possible across some west and northwest areas. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly wind.

Friday: Rather cold and breezy with sunny spells and scattered showers. The showers will fall as sleet and possibly snow at times early on. Highest temperatures of just 5 to 8 degrees in fresh and gusty westerly winds, making for an added wind chill factor.

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Saturday: Generally cloudy with patchy drizzle and drizzle. Some hill, mist and coastal fog also. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

Sunday: A cool day on Sunday with blustery showers, wintry in places with local hail.