Met Eireann has issued a new weather warning with the country set to be engulfed in freezing Arctic air.
Temperatures will drop as low as -5C at times, with wintry falls of hail, sleet and snow also forecast.
This could lead to severe frosts, icy stretches and accumulations of snow on roads, with the public urged to prepare for “hazardous” travelling conditions over the coming days.
READ MORE: Ireland weather LIVE updates - Met Eireann snow warning, school closures, travel chaos
In anticipation of this, the national forecaster has issued a rare ‘double’ weather warning for low temperatures and ice that affects the entire country.
Warnings are typically issued for singular weather events, however in this case, Met Eireann has included both low temperatures and ice in the new Status Yellow alert.
The 20-hour warning begins at 4pm on Monday and lasts right through until noon on Tuesday.
It pinpoints two specific locations where snow could fall, with forecasters saying there could be some “disruption” in parts of the northwest and southwest.
The warning says: “Icy stretches leading to hazardous travelling conditions, especially on untreated roads and paths.
“Wintry showers in the northwest and southwest. Accumulations possible, especially in mountainous areas, leading to disruption.”
The imminent cold weather has also prompted Met Eireann to issue a nationwide ‘Winter Weather’ advisory, which lasts until noon on Thursday.
It reads: “Turning cold across the country between Sunday evening and Thursday morning as an Arctic airflow becomes established, bringing sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads and footpaths. Some showers of hail, sleet and snow are expected with the potential for freezing fog. Further updates to the advisory and warnings are expected in the coming days.”
The severe cold weather is expected to be short-lived, with temperatures turning milder by the weekend.
While daytime temperatures today will linger close to freezing, by Saturday they could reach double digits.
Ireland day-by-day forecast
Monday
Met Eireann said: "Cold this afternoon but dry with sunny spells for most. Scattered wintry showers will continue in parts of north Ulster and the far southwest. Highest temperatures of just 1C to 4C with light northwest breezes. Turning very cold through the evening with more frequent wintry showers developing in the southwest.
"Tonight will be very cold with a widespread severe frost, patches of mist and fog and icy stretches. Showery outbreaks of sleet and snow will affect parts of the north, northwest and southwest with some snowfall accumulations, especially on high ground. Dry elsewhere with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of -5C to -1C."
Tuesday
The national forecaster continued: "Tuesday will be very cold with frost and ice lingering in many areas. Sunny spells and scattered showers will occur. Showers will be most frequent in Connacht and Ulster and later in the southwest. Isolated thunderstorms and falls of hail, sleet and snow are possible, especially in the evening. Eastern and southern areas will be mainly dry. Highest temperatures of 1C to 4C with light northwest breezes gradually freshening.
"Tuesday night will be cold with showers of sleet and snow. A sharp to severe frost with icy stretches and some freezing fog patches too. Lowest temperatures of -4C to 0C."
Wednesday
The forecast reads: "Sunny spells with scattered wintry showers, mainly in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 3C to 6C with moderate to fresh northwest winds. Wednesday night will be very cold with a widespread severe frost and icy stretches, Lowest temperatures of -5C to -2C."
Thursday
The meteorological service added: "Thursday will continue very cold with frost and ice lingering in some areas for much of the day. Cloudier conditions will develop in the west and southwest with outbreaks of rain and sleet developing at times. Highest afternoon temperatures of 1C to 6C , coldest in Ulster. On Thursday night, rain will spread eastwards across Ireland, falling as sleet or snow in places for a time. Temperatures will fall below zero in Ulster early in the night, but will gradually increase overnight."
Further outlook
Met Eireann concludes: "Friday will be a much milder and mostly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C with moderate west to southwest breezes.
"The outlook for next weekend is for mild, mostly cloudy and unsettled weather with spells of rain at times. Day time temperatures will range from about 9C to 12C with moderate to fresh southwest winds. The nights will be frost-free."
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