Freezing temperatures, with a risk of sleet and snow, will return to Ireland towards the end of next week.

Temperatures have been rising in recent days, and today will be at their highest in two weeks for many parts of the country. But they will begin dropping tomorrow and continue dropping throughout the week, according to The Irish Times.

The start of the week will be mostly dry but indications suggest wintry conditions, especially to northern areas, later in the week. Night-time temperatures will remain below freezing.

“Daytime temperatures look like dropping down near zero towards the end of the week with a further risk of sleet and snow,” said Met Éireann forecaster Jim O’Brien.

“By Friday next temperatures look like they will drop back to minus 1 to 3.”

The country is still thawing from the last big freeze and local authorities continue to cope with the dangerous effects of the ice and snow.

A Co Mayo man, John McCann, was found dead outside his home, apparently a victim of the extreme arctic weather. It is believed that McCann, a single man in his late 40s, was dropped off near his home on Wednesday evening and may have fallen before he reached his house, located at the end of a lane.

“The body was found outside Mr McCann’s house at about 2pm on Thursday by a person who went to check on him,” said Supt Ronan Galligan.

“There was snow and ice on the ground. The body could have possibly been out in the open throughout Wednesday night when temperatures were sub-zero.”

Supt Galligan warned that people needed to check on elderly people, especially those living alone, during the cold weather.