This weekend brings two contrasting weather days, with cold but largely sunny conditions on Saturday and a wetter chill on Sunday, according to forecaster Weeronline.

Saturday will be cold at 2° to 6°, but most of the country will stay dry and see regular sunny spells. Some early showers may pass through the north, but these will clear during the morning.

Sunday will be noticeably colder. After a brief sunny start in the east, cloud will increase across the country as rain moves in from the west. In the east and northeast, some of this may fall as wet snow, which could settle briefly in places.

Daytime temperatures will hover around 2° in the east and 4° in the west, but the south-easterly wind will make it feel several degrees colder. Later in the day, milder air will arrive from the southwest and the sleet or snow will turn to rain.

Early next week will be slightly less cold, with maximums of 5° to 7° and night frosts will be unlikely.

The KNMI long term forecast sees the changeable weather continuing, with showers and temperatures slightly above the average for the time of year.