Snow expected nationwide as high winds sweep the country

Motorists have been urged to drive with care as wet, windy and even snowy weather is expected to sweep across the country.

Met Éireann has issued two status yellow weather warnings for the whole country. The first is a snow and ice warning promising the most frequent snow showers on high ground over the west and north, though all areas are at risk.

The second warning is for wind, with gusts of up to 110km/h forecast.

It is expected that these warnings will extend into Thursday evening, with the possibility of an orange snow warning being issued later.

Yellow warnings alert people to the need to be aware, but do not pose an immediate threat to the general population. An orange warning informs people to be prepared for conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on affected areas.

The snow warning said there could be accumulations of up to 3cm in some areas.

“I don’t think we will have a serious snow situation in Dublin tonight, but you could maybe have a few centimetres here and there,” said Met Éireann forecaster John Eagleton.

“The showers are set to continue nationwide tonight, and that’s when it will fall as snow. Everywhere will be at risk, because all the forecast models are showing the showers widespread throughout the country, although western counties will bear the brunt of it,” he said.

"The snow warning may be upgraded to orange, particularly for Connacht and Ulster for tonight, and it's valid until tomorrow night," he added.

The UK Met Office has forecast “frequent” snow showers even on low ground across Northern Ireland, with drifting on high ground due to gale force winds. Longer spells of snow are promised for Northern Ireland overnight, with widespread frost and ice and lowest temperatures of -3 degrees.

AA Roadwatch warned of excess surface water and debris from high winds on roads . High winds also caused the closure of the Harry Blaney Bridge over Mulroy Bay in Donegal on Wednesday.