Warning as snow, temperatures fall

Motorists are being advised to exercise extreme caution from today with temperatures plummeting and snow falls in the East likely from Wednesday.

This afternoon saw outbreaks of sleet over Leinster and Munster with daytime temperatures of just 2 to 4 degrees in the East. Snow flurries have been reported around Maynooth, Lucan and Celbridge with some accumulations likely over higher ground.

As rain and sleet spread down from the North tonight, followed by clearer skies and a drop in temperatures to – 2 degrees, Met Éireann has warned morning commuters to take care.

“Certainly there is a need for extreme caution on roads,” said forecaster Joanna Donnelly. “Light rain might have fallen on already frozen surfaces which is extremely dangerous.”

Monday and Tuesday will be a cold, bright, showery and blustery with highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees. But things will turn colder again from Wednesday. In north easterly winds, daytime temperatures will hover between two to four degrees with severe frosts at night.

“From Wednesday onwards along the coastal counties of Leinster, the north-easterly winds will bring wintry showers off the Irish Sea with a likelihood of falls of snow of several centimetres from these showers,” according to Met Éireann.

“Temperatures are staying very low for the next few days so there will be frosty conditions on the roads, and on untreated roads in particular for the coming nights,” said Ms Donnelly.

A slight rise in temperatures is expected next weekend as cloud increases over the country, bringing outbreaks of rain to most places.

In Scotland, people woke up to snow  today as falls began which will bring a taste of winter to large areas of Britain over the next 48 hours.

Laura Caldwell, a forecaster with MeteoGroup said: "There have been accumulations of a few centimetres in parts of Scotland and the snow is expected to move into northern England and as far south as the Midlands during the day."

More falls are expected in north Wales, central England and northern England tomorrow.

Most of the areas will see between 2cm and 5cm settle while some such as Yorkshire will see up to 10cm.

Cold weather will take hold of all the UK, but southern England and Wales is likely to be spared snow.

The Met Office has a level two weather warning in place until Tuesday covering the whole of England, alerting residents to ice, snow and bitter temperatures.

Additional reporting PA