LAST UPDATE | 17 Jan 2023

MOTORISTS ARE being urged to take care on the roads today due to icy conditions across the country. 

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has advised all road users to be prepared for icy stretches on roads and footpaths today.

Motorists are encouraged to clear their windows and mirrors of any ice, to carry a screen scraper and de-icer and to keep in mind that it takes longer to brake in icy conditions.

A number of schools in Donegal have also closed for today due to snow, with some school buses not running according to local media.

The mercury reached as low as 7 degrees Celsius in parts of the country last night, with Mount Dillon in Co Roscommon seeing experiencing the lowest temperatures across Ireland between 9pm and 7am this morning.

A Status Yellow snow/ice warnings is currently in place for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo until 9am tomorrow. 

Met Éireann warns that scattered snow showers will lead to some accumulations in the counties.

The forecaster has also issued another Status Yellow snow/ice warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Kerry, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Mayo and Roscommon. This warning will kick in at 5.30pm today and will remain in place until 9am tomorrow. 

Met Éireann earlier updated its advisory and states that the arctic airflow hitting Ireland will mean the cold weather continues until late on Friday night.

The UK Met Office has also issued a similar warning for Northern Ireland.

Updated: Winter Weather Advisory for Ireland🥶❄️

See all active warnings ➡️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/sHxOCVq40K

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 17, 2023

There are warnings of black ice in shaded areas, with motorists being encouraged to drive slowly to avoid skidding. 

They should also avoid braking or accelerating if their car begins to skid in black ice.

Looking ahead to later tonight, Met Éireann is forecasting frost and icy stretches developing in many areas.

There is a chance of thunder and hail in the north and west, with the country seeing lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees. 

Tomorrow will see temperatures improve with highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees expected in moderate to fresh northwesterly winds.

However, colder weather is set to return, with the latest winter weather notice issued today advising that there will be sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads and footpaths on Friday. This is valid from 2pm to midnight on Friday.

Some showers of hail, sleet and snow are also expected with the potential for freezing fog.

Further road safety information can be found here.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin