The Arctic weather paralysing most of Europe with record sub-zero temperatures was expected to have reached Ireland last night with showers of hail and snow forecast for the southern and eastern coasts.
Several centimetres of snow may fall today as the cold continental air front from as far away as Russia and central Europe hits the Irish coast, turning to hail and snow.
Met Éireann said last night that coastal counties in the east and south could expect hail and snow showers to develop today, particularly along higher ground where the snow will linger.
The recent frosty weather here meant any moisture coming in from the Irish Sea will turn to snow once it hits the coast. "The ground is so cold now we expect several centimetres of snow to accumulate along the coasts," a Met Éireann spokesman said last night.
"The Irish Sea will save us from the brunt of the Arctic temperatures blowing in from the east as it is around 10 or 11 degrees Celsius at this time of year, which will slightly warm up the cold easterly air," he added.
The wintry showers are expected to fizzle out as they move westwards with no snow likely to penetrate further inland than Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Temperatures today are not expected to rise above 5 degrees.
Several days of heavy snowfall, Siberian temperatures and high winds across Europe have caused hundreds of deaths and disrupted road, rail, air and sea traffic. England is experiencing the worst snowfalls since February 1991 with Kent and Essex worst affected yesterday.
Temperatures as low as -8 degrees and snow blizzards closed London City Airport for part of the day and 120 domestic and European flights were cancelled.
Here, widespread severe frost with temperatures as low as -5 degrees and ground temperatures of -10 degrees are expected tonight. Temperatures will barely rise above freezing tomorrow as dry bright frosty weather is set to continue until the weekend.
Gardaí are advising motorists to take their time in the freezing conditions and only to make necessary journeys. "Make sure the car is topped up with water and de-icer" was the advice from the Garda last night.
Met Éireann has predicted a return to the more usual mild and rainy weather on Sunday, with temperatures climbing to 10 or 11 degrees.