Parts of Ireland are braced for major disruption over the coming days as an Arctic freeze smothers the country.
Met Eireann upgraded its weather warnings on Tuesday, which now run right through until Friday.
It says freezing temperatures may cause icy stretches on roads and footpaths, while sleet and snow accumulations could lead to hazardous travelling conditions in parts.
READ MORE: Half of country taken out of snow danger zone as Met Eireann updates weather warnings
The first of the snow fell today, with more wintry flurries forecast through the evening. Thermometers could fall as low as -6C overnight.
Met Eireann says tomorrow will start cold and frosty, with sleet and snow forecast for southern areas during the day. Snow from the southwest will become countrywide on Wednesday night, with parts of Ulster saying dry.
On Thursday, rain sleet and snow with accumulations are possible over the northern half of the country, where temperatures will struggle to get above freezing. That night, sleet and snow will become confined to the north and east.
More snow is forecast during the day on Friday for southern areas, before extending over much of the country that night.
Saturday will be a wet day with widespread outbreaks of sleet and snow gradually transitioning to rain.
Temperatures will then gradually increase through the rest of the weekend and early next week.
It comes as the national forecaster has issued a new weather map showing the probability of snow on Thursday.
Dr Alan Hally, Forecasting Services Manager at Met Eireann explained today: “Our high-resolution ensemble prediction system is specifically designed to represent the uncertainties related to these types of events. In Ireland, the occurrence of snow is almost always a marginal event, and our forecasters rely heavily on ensemble prediction systems in order to determine the most likely outcome and to decide on appropriate and timely warnings”.
Meanwhile, a number of weather warnings have been issued. You can check if your area is impacted below.
Status Yellow - Low Temperatures/Ice warning
Affects: Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath and Westmeath
Timeline: 9pm Tuesday until 9am Wednesday.
Met Eireann said: “Hazardous conditions due to freezing temperatures. Icy stretches on roads and footpaths.”
Status Yellow - Snow/Ice warning
Affects: Cork and Kerry
Timeline: Midnight Wednesday until noon Wednesday
Met Eireann said: “Patchy sleet or snow overnight and Wednesday morning. Potential for hazardous conditions on some roads and footpaths.”
Status Yellow - Snow/Ice warning
Affects: Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon Sligo, Longford, Louth, Meath and Westmeath
Timeline: 6am Thursday until midnight Friday
Met Eireann said: “A spell of rain will move up over the country on Thursday morning, turning to sleet and snow with some accumulations expected. Possible Impacts: Hazardous driving conditions and travel disruption.”
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