Three separate weather warnings are in place this morning, while Met Eireann has said the freezing weather blast will last until next weekend.
Temperatures across Ireland will plunge as low as -6C over the coming days, with severe frost, ice, freezing fog and wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow all forecast.
A nationwide Status Yellow weather warning for freezing fog is in place until noon today. It reads: “Patches of freezing fog are expected, causing potentially hazardous driving conditions.”
LATEST: Met Eireann has updated its weather warnings - here's the latest
Another nationwide Status Yellow weather warning for ice is also in place until noon today. It reads: “A sharp frost and icy stretches will set in on Friday night as temperatures dip to -4C in places.”
A third Status Yellow weather warning for Snow/Ice is in place for Donegal until noon, reading: “Scattered sleet and snow showers will give some accumulations, especially on high ground.”
It comes as daytime temperatures today are forecast to hover around 0C. Show is forecast for some areas in Connacht and Ulster, while overnight temperatures could plunge as low as -5C.
Giving its forecast for today, Met Eireann said: “Very cold early this morning with frost, ice and patches of freezing fog. These will linger in some areas today. Many areas will be mainly dry with some sunny spells. Wintry showers in Ulster and Connacht will move southwards this morning and become isolated. Highest temperatures of only 0C to 4C, with light variable breezes.
“Tonight will be mainly dry, but very cold with widespread severe frost and with ice on roads and paths. Patches of freezing fog in many areas also. Overnight, some wintry showers will develop in eastern coastal counties. Lowest temperatures of -5C to 0C with light northerly or variable breezes.”
It will be more of the same tomorrow, with snow forecast in areas of Leinster as well as northern and western counties.
The forecast reads: “Sunday will be another very cold day with temperatures of just 0C to 3C. Frost and fog may linger in some places all day. It will be mainly dry with some sunshine. However, some further wintry showers will affect eastern coastal counties. Winds will be light northerly or variable.
“Sunday night will be dry in most areas. However, wintry showers will affect coastal areas of Leinster early in the night and will also develop in northern and western counties overnight. Patches of freezing fog will develop inland. It will be very cold with a widespread severe frost and Widespread frost and ice. Lowest temperatures of -6C to -1C.”
The cold weather will continue into next week, with Met Eireann saying it will last until next weekend.
It said: “Monday will continue very cold with temperatures staying below freezing in many areas. Frost, ice and fog will persist through the day. Many areas will be dry with wintry showers mainly affecting coastal counties, especially in the east. Light easterly breezes.
“Monday night will be another very cold night with widespread frost, ice and patches of freezing fog and with lowest temperatures of -6C to -2C degrees. Most areas dry, but some wintry showers in coastal areas.
“Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will see very similar conditions as the cold spells continues. Many areas will be dry, but there will be some wintry showers at times, mainly on north and east facing coasts. Daytime temperatures will be close to zero and the nights will be very cold with severe frosts, ice and patches of freezing fog. Winds will be light and variable in direction.
“Current indications suggest that the very cold weather will continue next weekend.”
READ NEXT:
- Triple child killer mum Deirdre Morley applies for release after three years as dad Andrew McGinley reacts
- Inside East Wall refugee centre as asylum seekers want to join protests and say rooms are like 'cage for animals'
- Mr Flashy ally gun attack gang 'won't stop until they kill their targets'
- '20 of us sleep together for warmth': The homeless people freezing on Ireland's streets during cold snap
- TikTok removes Leo Varadkar nightclub video
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
