It’s about to get a whole lot chillier out there.

While we can expect plenty of glorious winter sunshine over Cork today, with highs of up to 11C, Met Éireann is forecasting a sharp dip in temperatures by the end of the week.

The big freeze begins with cold and dry conditions tonight with clear spells and lowest temperatures of zero to plus 3 degrees bringing frost.

“Light variable winds will allow mist and fog to develop, which may become dense in places by dawn.” said a forecaster.

On Tuesday morning mist and fog will be slow to clear from inland parts of Munster, but it will be generally dry with sunny spells otherwise, with highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees. Rain and breezier conditions will develop in Cork and Kerry during the evening.

Wednesday and Thursday will be dry with sunny spells and mainly dry conditions, as temperatures dip a little to between 7C and 9C.

By Friday it’ll be cold and windy with showers forecast on east and south coasts but otherwise mainly dry, although temperatures will barely creep above 6C in the afternoon.

“Current indications suggest a cold easterly wind through the weekend will continue to bring showers to coasts.” added the forecasters.