Ireland weather LIVE - Extra warnings expected as Met Eireann says coldest night yet on the way

Ireland remains firmly gripped by a severe cold snap, with freezing conditions expected to worsen over the next 24 hours. Temperatures have already plunged well below zero, with forecasts indicating they could drop to a bone-chilling -9C in some areas overnight - which would make it the coldest night of the week yet.

Snow, frost and icy conditions continue to wreck havoc, causing widespread disruption and making travel treacherous.

Weather warnings remain in place this morning, with the possibility of more being issued as the cold spell deepens. A Status Orange alert for much of the country will expire at 11am, while a nationwide Status Yellow alert for low temperatures and ice remains active until noon on Friday.

The days ahead are expected to stay bitterly cold, with Met Eireann urging people to take extra precautions when travelling and to keep up-to-date with the latest weather alerts for their areas.

Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman said: "This prolonged cold spell will bring very hazardous conditions over the next few days with no real opportunity for melt of significant lying snow. Given there has been a lot of snow over the weekend, as well as rain which has now frozen, there will be really dangerous conditions on the roads.

"The icy conditions will be particularly impactful for some road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists, so alternative travel should be considered if possible. Really slippery on footpaths too so tricky conditions underfoot. We’d ask the public give extra time for any travel that they have to make."

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Key EventsGet updates on the Big Freeze direct to your phone on our WhatsApp service08:1908:20Anita McSorleyIreland cold weather end date confirmed

Full story here: Ireland cold weather end date confirmed as Met Eireann forecast major 18C temperature swing

ShareComments08:19Anita McSorleyToday's forecast in full

Met Eireann said: "Very cold this morning with widespread frost and ice lingering. Sunny spells will develop later with just a scattering of cloud in a cold northerly breeze. A few isolated wintry showers will drift in over Connacht and Ulster for a time but elsewhere should hold dry. Highs really struggling at just 0C to 4C.

"Very cold and dry tonight with frost setting in early. Cloud will push in from the south later with outbreaks of rain across Munster and winds staying light. Bitterly cold with lowest temperature of -7C to -2C with the lowest temperatures occurring early in the night. Frost, ice and black ice patches expected."

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ShareComments08:19Anita McSorleyActive weather warnings

A Status Orange low temperature and ice warning for every county except Donegal expires at 11am today.

A Status Yellow low temperatures and ice warning for all of Ireland is in place until noon on Friday.

Met Eireann have warned it will be "extremely cold with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow", leading to "dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, travel disruption and delays and animal welfare issues".

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