Watch: Weather turning much colder but will it bring snow?

Weather forecasting partners in Ireland and Britain say it’s all calming down going into the weekend after weeks and windy weather.

Met Éireann's forecasting partner, the Met Office, says in its 10-day trend - watch above - that much drier, calmer and colder weather is on the way with the return of frost and thick fog patches. 

As for Met Éireann, it says the weather is going to turn more settled towards the end of the week with high pressure looking set to dominate. The forecaster says frost, mist and fog is also likely.

National Forecast issued by Met Éireann at 5.20pm on January 3.

Thursday: Beginning cold and bright with frost across southern counties. Sunshine and scattered heavy showers will occur through the day, the focus of which will be across Ulster, Connacht and north Leinster, some of hail with the chance of lightning and spot flooding. Rather cold; with highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees, all in mostly light to moderate southwest breezes.

Thursday night will be mostly dry with long clear spells. There'll be a few showers around, mainly near Atlantic coasts. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees with light westerly winds.

Friday: Most areas look set to be dry and sunny on Friday. There'll be some showers near Atlantic coasts and these may drift further inland later in the day. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with a light northwesterly wind.

Friday night: Most dry and clear apart from some showers near northern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -1 to 4 degrees with light northwesterly winds.

Saturday: Mainly dry with spells of sunshine and the chance of just the odd shower. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees with a light variable wind.

Mostly dry night with some clear spells. Fog will form overnight in light variable winds. Cold, with lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees.

Sunday: Overnight fog looks like it may linger through much of Sunday in places as winds remain light and variable. Otherwise mainly dry with showers possible in coastal areas. Chilly with highest temperatures of just 1 to 5 degrees.

Further Outlook: The weather is likely to continue settled and cold as high pressure is expected to stick around into next week.