STATUS YELLOW RAIN and snow warnings will come into effect in different parts of the country from 12pm today.

A Status Yellow rain warning will come into effect for Cork and Kerry at 12pm, and expire at midnight. Rain with heavy falls will lead to the following spot flooding and difficult travel conditions.

A Status Yellow rain and snow warning will come into effect for Cavan, Donegal, Longford and all of Connacht from 12pm, and expire at midnight.

The national forecaster warned that rain will be heavy at times and turn to sleet or snow. It warned that the weather, combined with strengthening winds, will lead to the following difficult travel conditions and poor visibility.

A Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning was in place for all of Ireland between 9pm last night and 10am this morning.

Met Éireann warned that temperatures would fall between -1 and -3 degrees generally, with sharp frost and icy conditions. The cold could cause hazardous travel conditions and travel disruption.

The UK Met Office also issued a Status Yellow ice warning for Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Derry which came into effect at 8pm yesterday and expired at 10am this morning.

Today’s forecast

Valentine’s Day will start off cold, dry and bright, with widespread frost and icy patches. Rain will spread northeastwards over the country through the afternoon and evening, turning heavy in parts, and falling as sleet or wet snow for a time. Temperatures between 2 to 5 degrees are expected and the day will turn windy later.

Tonight will be windy with rain in the north and east, along with falls of sleet and snow for a time. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 6 degrees are expected.

There’ll be scattered blustery showers tomorrow with some longer spells of rain for a time, mainly in the north and south. The showers will be heavy at times with hail, isolated thunderstorms and spot flooding all possible.

There may be some sunny spells in the afternoon, with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 or 11 degrees expected.