A WEATHER WARNING is in place as heavy rains are set to pour in nine counties - with snow expected to fall next week.
Met Éireann have said the Status Yellow weather warning is for heavy rainfall which is expected to pour from Friday into Saturday afternoon.
Nine counties, including Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, are expected to have up to 50mm of rain overnight.
The rest of the weekend will be unsettled with wet and windy weather and it will be much colder heading into next week, becoming increasingly blustery and showery.
The Irish weather authority warned showers will turn wintry on Tuesday with 'falls of sleet and snow increasingly more likely.'
The focus of the wintry showers will be across the north and west with some accumulations likely - but Met Éireann said all areas will be at risk of snow with thunder in some parts.
The temperature is set to plummet next week also, with maximum temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees, but will feel even colder due to chilly winds.
There will be frost and ice also in some parts, but mainly for sheltered areas.
