IRISH weather forecasters have said a red warning is likely towards the end of the week as Ireland prepares for the big freeze.
Ireland is potentially bracing for snowfall not seen for the last 36 years.
Temperatures are set to drop to as low as -7 this week as the 'Beast for the East' hits the country.
Met Éireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, has issued a five day forecast with the country currently on a status yellow weather warning.
The Irish Government is meeting today to assess what measures will be needed over the coming week to deal with the onslaught of cold weather and snow.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said some disruption is likely as the country braces for snow - the likes of which has not been seen since 1982.
Cold snap coming this week, from Tuesday. The Government’s Task Force will meet tomorrow morning to assess the situation. Please listen out for updates and take care. Some disruption is likely.
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) 25 February 2018
Cathal Nolan, an Offlay-based meteorologist from the Midland Weather Channel, has predicted snowfall in excess of 30cm this week.
"The latest models continue to indicate the development of the coldest spell of weather since 2010, and possibly the snowiest weather event since 1982," he said.
"While snowfall amounts will vary from place to place I do expect that some places in the East Midlands will see in excess of 30cm of snow or more by Friday afternoon.
"Some areas such as Wicklow, Dublin, and Kildare could see in excess of 45cm of snow depending upon the track of an Atlantic depression on Friday."
Here's what you can expect from the weather this week according to Met Éireann:
Monday
Very cold with some bright or sunny spells. Snow flurries are likely in eastern coastal counties. Very cold and frosty overnight with lowest temperatures -2 to -5 C.
Tuesday
Rain and sleet showers in Leinster and east Munster during the day. Very cold and frosty at night with snow showers across Leinster, east Ulster and southeast Munster. Temperatures will fall to as low as -5 degrees.
Wednesday
Extremely cold, with further snowfall. Snow showers will be heaviest and most frequent in the east of the country especially in east Leinster. Top temperatures only -1 to +2 C. Overnight frost will be severe nationwide, with temperatures falling to between -5 and -7 degrees.
Thursday
Bitterly cold. Top temperatures just -1 to +1 C with a gusty easterly wind. Overnight there will be heavy disruptive snow moving up from the southeast. Expect 'significant accumulations' over the southern half of the country. Blizzard conditions.
Friday
Heavy and disruptive snow for a time on Friday, mainly over central and northern parts of the country.
