Big chill Met Eireann extend snow/ice warning and issue low temperature alert as sleet, snow and hail to continue

Met Eireann have extended a nationwide snow/ice weather warning as falls of sleet, hail and snow are set to continue.

Parts of the country woke up to snow on the ground this morning as icy conditions made roads treacherous and drivers were advised to take extreme caution.

The Status Yellow weather alert was due to end at 12pm this afternoon but Met Eireann have now extended it until 7pm.

The national forecaster advised: "Scattered falls of sleet, snow and hail continuing for the rest of today. Icy and hazardous conditions."

Met Eireann have also issued a low temperature alert as freezing lows of -5 degrees are expected tonight.

The nationwide alert will be in place from 7pm this evening until 10am on Monday morning.

A forecaster revealed: "Icy and very cold with lowest temperatures of -5 to -2 degrees generally, colder locally."

Temperatures plummeted to a freezing -5.2 degrees in Athenry, Co Galway yesterday while lows of -4.7 degrees were recorded at Moore Park in Cork.

Snow fell in parts of the country, including Donegal, Roscommon, Westmeath and Galway.

And it was another chilly start today with lows of -2 degrees recorded at Malin Head in Donegal and -1 degrees in Dublin and Knock, Co Mayo.

According to Met Eireann, Gurteen in Co Sligo and Mullingar in Co Westmeath were among the areas experiencing "snow grains" this morning.

AA Roadwatch are advising motorists to take "extreme caution" due to the "very icy" nature of the roads today.

A spokesperson said the areas worst affected included Clifden in Co Galway, Co Roscommon and Co Wexford.

They said: "Extreme caution is advised around Clifden and on the N59 between there and Maam Cross after snowfall last night."

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Online Editors