Met Eireann issues snow and ice warning for four counties as Ireland battles cold snap

Met Eireann has warned that severe frost and icy stretches are expected tonight into tomorrow morning

Met Éireann has issued a nationwide status yellow low temperature/ice warning for Tuesday evening as Ireland battles the cold snap alongside a snow-ice warning for four counties.

Ireland has been engulfed in a major cold weather blast over the last few days, as freezing temperatures brought lows of -7C overnight alongside snow, widespread frosts, ice and fog.

The nationwide warning, issued on Tuesday morning, will be valid from this evening at 6pm, staying in place until Wednesday at 11am. A second status yellow snow-ice warning will come into effect for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo at 7am Wednesday, lasting until 11am Thursday.

READ MORE: Ireland live snow tracker as Met Eireann issues major update to cold weather warning

Issuing the country-wide alert, Met Éireann urged people to be aware that it would be “very cold this evening, tonight and on Wednesday morning with severe frost and icy stretches”.

The forecaster warned that the severe frost and icy stretches could bring some possible impacts, including difficult travelling conditions, low-temperature issues for vulnerable people and animal welfare issues.

Regarding the snow alert, Met Éireann said: "Snow showers leading to some accumulations." Adding that there would be difficult travelling conditions and some travel and service disruption.

Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has also issued a yellow ice warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry. This will be valid from 5pm on Tuesday until just before midnight tonight.

The Met Office warned: “Ice will readily form on untreated surfaces this evening leading to hazardous conditions.”

A further yellow snow and ice warning will come into effect for Antrim, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry at midnight on Thursday, lasting for 24 hours.

The Met Office added: “Further snow showers and some ice are likely to continue to bring disruption to travel.”

Meanwhile, a weather advisory remains in place for the entire country until midday on Friday, with Met Éireann warning Arctic air will bring winter hazards this coming week.

Issuing the advisory, it warned: “Sharp to severe frosts expected with icy stretches on roads and pavements. Some sleet or snow will occur at times too, mostly for northern areas, and especially for hills.”

You can follow our live snow tracker here or you can check out Met Éireann’s forecast for the next few days here.

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