IRISH weather chiefs say we can expect "cold and unsettled" conditions and snow to return by early next week - as a White Easter could be on the cards.

North and northeastern counties will see the worst of the "wintry falls", Met Eireann confirmed.

8 Snow is set to hit Ireland again next week Credit: PA:Press Association

Experts say it will be a colder than normal end to March and start to April - after the country was battered by Storm Emma and the Son of the Beast in recent weeks.

Snow could start to fall again in Ulster as early as Tuesday as temperatures will only reach highs of 4C or 5C.

But in Munster, conditions will be considerably warmer early next week - with highs of 10C or 12C.

Frosty nights are also predicted from tomorrow.

8 Weather over the coming days will be changeable and cool - before turning cold again

8 Wintry falls will start again as early as Tuesday Credit: Alamy Live News

A Met Eireann forecaster said Tuesday will see things get colder again after a relatively mild and showery weekend.

The forecaster said: "Changeable cool weather turning colder next week.

"Showery rain in many places for a time on Tuesday with some wintry falls possibly in parts of Ulster where it will be cold.

8 North and northeastern counties will see the worst of the snow, according to Met Eireann Credit: EPA

"Drier periods will develop for a time during the day with some bright spells coming through at times.

"Cold in northern and northeastern counties with highs of 4C or 5C but up to 10C to 12C in Munster."

They added: "Indications suggest cold and unsettled weather over the following days, with some rain or showers and some wintry falls mainly in northern and northeastern counties at times. Frosty nights."

8 The country went into lockdown when Storm Emma hit in recent weeks Credit: Reuters

ECMWF charts showing how complex the weather setup may get next week. Certainly unusual for this time of year and looking cool but I wouldn’t be forecasting blizzards or beast from East part 3 this far out, could end up a number of ways. Stay tuned pic.twitter.com/Js5Wyda0OM — Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) March 22, 2018

And Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly tweeted: "The ECMWF 850hPa temp anomaly charts up until April 2nd shows a colder than normal end to March and start to April."

He added: "ECMWF charts showing how complex the weather setup may get next week. Certainly unusual for this time of year and looking cool but I wouldn’t be forecasting blizzards or Beast from East part 3 this far out, could end up a number of ways."

Temperatures will plunge to -2C on Sunday night, as forecasters predict a "cold and blustery" day on Monday.

8 Temperatures will plunge again from Sunday night with lows of -2C predicted Credit: Reuters

Met Eireann say: "Cool and bright on Sunday also with sunny spells and some well scattered showers.

"Afternoon highs of 8C to 10C in light west to northwest breezes. Frosty Sunday night with lows of 1C to -2C and patchy fog also.

"Cloudier on Monday and freshening southerly winds will bring rain eastwards during the day, with some heavy falls in places. Afternoon highs of 8C to 11C."

8 Experts say they are not predicting a 'Beast from the East 3' just yet Credit: Reuters

Meanwhile, rain will kick in in Munster and parts of Leinster later on today and tomorrow will see sunny spells and scattered showers.

The forecaster said: "Dry in most areas today with some sunshine. There will be some showers in the west and north.

"In the afternoon, rain will develop in Munster and south-Leinster with just scattered showers elsewhere.

8 Frosty nights are also on the cards from tonight and well into next week Credit: PA:Press Association

"Blustery westerly winds will become light this afternoon. Highest temperatures of 8C to 10C.

"Rain in southern coastal counties for a time early tonight and scattered showers elsewhere.

"Becoming generally dry overnight with clearing skies and light winds.

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"Sharp frost and some mist and fog will develop with overnight lows of -1C to 2C.

"Sunny spells and just scattered showers on Saturday, mainly in western areas during the morning but a bit more widespread in the afternoon.

"Some showers of hail in northwestern counties. Light winds and highs of 8C to 11C."