A STATUS YELLOW weather warning is in place across the country this morning, as Met Éireann says snow and ice are widespread, with heavy rain and further snowfall predicted throughout the day.

Snow is expected in parts of Leinster, and in the north and east of Munster, especially on high ground this morning.

Last night was a bitterly cold one, as temperatures fell as low as -4 in some areas.

While it will be cold this morning, frost and icy patches will clear throughout the morning, before heavy rain arrives in Leinster and east Munster.

Temperatures will vary between 4 and 8 degrees, with brighter spells in Connacht and Ulster.

AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination and to use major roads which are more likely to have been gritted than secondary roads.

It adds: “Remember that stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow”.

There are reports of several traffic collisions causing delays on roads this morning, with snow on roads around Thurles, Carlow Town, Portlaoise and Drogheda.

Extreme care is advised on the M1 Dublin to Belfast road in Louth after an earlier crash at J11 Monasterboice.

Two trucks are stuck in the snow on the N80 Portlaoise/Carlow road, causing delays on the Carlow side of Stradbally at Windy Gap.

The M8 Cork to Dublin road northbound is closed at J5 Twomileborris following a crash. Diversions are in place via J6 Thurles.

Read: Bitter night: Icy roads and freezing fog forecast for tonight

Read: Dangerous driving conditions this morning as snow-ice warning remains in place