Could snow and colder conditions return to Northern Ireland next week? Met Office advise we 'stay tuned to the forecast'

But as Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon advises although ‘as we go through into next week there is a chance of some colder conditions moving in across the UK, however the extent of this as well as just how cold it may get is still uncertain’.

‘So best to stay tuned to the forecast to see how this develops as confidence improves,’ he added.

The news comes as UK daily weather extremes shows that temperatures dipped to -0.1 °C in Derrylin in Co Fermanagh last night.

Mr Clayon added that ‘today will see a mostly dry and bright morning but a few scattered showers are possible’.

‘It’ll turn widely cloudy during the afternoon with rain spreading north to all parts’ and a ‘strengthening easterly winds will reach close to gale force along exposed coasts’.

‘Temperatures will be around average, with a maximum temperature of 9°C,' he added.

‘Tonight will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain continuing through the evening and overnight.

‘It will remain breezy with strong southeast winds along the coasts with a minimum temperature of 5°C.

‘Tomorrow will see further spells of rain continuing, these will be heavy at times especially over the hills,’ he added.

‘Winds will become lighter and temperatures will be similar to day with a max of 8°C.

‘Bands of rain and showers will push northwards through Friday and Saturday and becoming windy with coastal gales’.

He added it will be ‘mainly dry and bright with lighter winds on Sunday’.

According to the Met Office the forecast for Sunday 25 Jan - Tuesday 3 Feb will see ‘Weather systems moving in from the Atlantic will continue to attempt to push in from the west, but tending to stall in the vicinity of the UK as they encounter high pressure to the north and northeast.

‘As a result, further spells of rain or showers are likely at times.

‘These may be heavy and persistent, especially in the south and west, with the best of any drier interludes in the far north and northeast.

‘Whilst mild conditions are expected to encroach into the south and southwest at times, it is likely to turn somewhat colder through this period, bringing the risk of some snow showers, most likely across hills in Scotland and northern England’.

And looking further ahead – Wednesday 4 Feb - Wednesday 18 Feb – ‘a similar theme is expected to continue as Atlantic frontal systems attempt to push eastwards at times’.

‘As the jet stream is slightly further south than normal, the wettest conditions are more likely in central and southern areas.

‘North and northwestern parts of the UK are most likely to be drier than normal.

‘Whilst mild incursions of wet and windy weather are favoured at times in the south and west, colder conditions in the north and northeast will bring associated wintry hazards where any precipitation attempts to spread in, especially on hills’.