Having taken a hammering by Storm Abigail and Storm Barney over the past week Ireland is set to have its first taste of snow this weekend. Sleet and snow are predicted in the west and north of Ireland as temperatures drop lower than figures seen in Moscow this week.

This bad weather news comes after a week of rain and high winds from Storms Abigail and Barney. Earlier this week the gales of Storm Barney meant 45,000 Irish homes were without power.

Power outages following #StormBarney, new weather warning in place - https://t.co/DCl6BjLGHW #weather pic.twitter.com/hLQE0y3eNj

— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) November 18, 2015

Now these high winds are being replaced by a polar blast set to hit Ireland.

Ireland’s meteorological service, Met Éireann, predicted earlier this week that the country might see their first snowfall this weekend.

Irish weather: Snow expected in Ireland as temperatures fall lower than Moscow https://t.co/Knn9nFZs9R pic.twitter.com/JYvaidj6Gv

— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) November 19, 2015

Friday saw temperature in the northern half of the country hit between 35F (2C) and 39F (4C) and 41F (5C) and 44F (7C) in the south. Sadly Saturday is set to be about the same which means that it’s the perfect temperature for snow.

Forecaster Louise Heraghty told the Irish Independent that “wintry showers are possible, but will mainly affect higher ground.

"It will stay pretty cold over the weekend, with a sharp frost expected in some areas on Saturday night."

Time to bundle up - there's a cold snap on the way and snow expected in parts - https://t.co/Pu6n4lP54n pic.twitter.com/cI3EHQBzd5

— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) November 19, 2015

Happily, by Sunday, Ireland will be in the all clear with temperatures rocketing to a balmy 42F (6F) to 46F (8C), with this figures dropping considerably overnight.

Peter O'Donnell, forecaster with Irish Weather Online, also reassured the nation by saying snow fall would occur on higher ground.

He said "This outbreak will be short-lived and will begin to modify back to milder temperatures by Sunday.

"The wintry showers could show up further south too, but they will become increasingly brief and scattered so that larger population centers may not see much if any impact.

"It is something to be aware of, however, if you're travelling west or north."

Some good weather news for Ireland now. Next week conditions will be milder with temperature highs between 46F (8C) and 51F (11C). Met Éireann said Monday will be mostly dry with winds backing west and later southwest.

So if you’re in Ireland this weekend our advice is cozy up get comfy and find yourself an open fire.