Ireland is currently engulfed in freezing Arctic air which is causing icy and hazardous conditions in parts.
Temperatures plummeted as low as -7C earlier this week, while more wintry showers of sleet, hail and snow are forecast.
Met Eireann has issued a new Status Yellow weather warning for Ice which affects the entire country.
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It begins at 7pm and lasts until noon Thursday, with people told to be on alert for ‘freezing rain’.
Freezing rain is a rare type of liquid precipitation that strikes a cold surface, and freezes almost instantly.
The unusual weather event could lead to treacherous road conditions with the public urged to take extra care when out and about.
The entire weather warning reads: “Icy stretches leading to hazardous travelling conditions. Wintry showers continuing. Freezing rain possible in the southwest. Freezing fog patches.”
The subzero weather has also prompted Met Eireann to issue a nationwide ‘Winter Weather’ advisory. It was previously due to expire on Thursday, but has now been extended until 9am Friday with more snow expected over the coming days.
It reads: “Staying cold until Friday with 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.”
Meanwhile, Saturday has been pinpointed as the exact day the cold blast will end.
Met Eireann says: “Remaining chilly with occasional wintry showers, although temperatures are expected to increase by the weekend.”
Giving its forecast for Saturday, it said: “Dull with patches of rain and drizzle. Milder with temperatures rising to 7C to 11C, in a moderate southerly breeze. Much milder than recent nights on Saturday night, with minimum temperatures of 7C to 9C, in a light to moderate southerly wind. Cloudy with rain in most areas, heaviest in the west and southwest.”
By Sunday, temperatures of 9C to 12C are forecast - marking a substantial change from today’s top temperatures of just 2C to 6C.
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