AA ROADWATCH HAS issued a number of warnings about “treacherous” road conditions this morning as the winter cold beds in.

Icy patches and freezing fog have been reported in various areas across the country, while Gardaí have already received reports of several crashes.

Motorists have been asked to reduce speed and de-ice their vehicles effectively.

Remember gentle manoeuvers are the key to safe driving and that stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.

In Laois, the M7 Dublin/Limerick road southbound and northbound from Monasterevin to Ballybrittas has been closed following a number of collisions. Drivers are asked to follow diversions.

It is also “extremely icy” on back roads in Ballybrittas, Abbeyleix and Mountrath.

Gardaí are also reporting icy conditions on all approaches to Kilkenny City with conditions particularly slippery on the Freshford Road.

In Meath, several minor collisions are being dealt with on the M2 Monaghan/Dublin between J3 Ashbourne South and J2 St. Margarets.

The following areas have been red flagged by AA Roadwatch:

• the N4 at Ballinalack;
• the M7 at Roscrea;
• freezing fog on the M9 Dublin/Waterford Rd between J2 Kilcullen and J3 Athy;
• very icy on the N2 through Carrickmacross and Castleblayney;
• extremely icy on the N52 Ardee/Dundalk Rd and in Dundalk;
• icy conditions throughout Athlone, particularly on the M6/N6 Dublin/Galway Road between J8 Athlone East and J11 Athlone Centre;
• treacherous on the N65 Edgeworthstown/Athlone Road;
• treacherous conditions in Fermoy and on the N25/Waterford Road at Midleton;
• icy around Roscommon Town with reports of black ice around Boyle.

Met Éireann has said the day will remain cold but it will also be dry and bright, with some good sunshine. Highest temperatures will be between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius. But look:

NO RAIN.

Looking ahead, the weather folk predict some rain in the West tomorrow but much of the East will be dry with frost and fog clearing slowly.

Thursday night may bring some light snow with it as air temperatures drop to minus 3 degrees. The coldest temperatures are likely to be in the North and East.

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