Cold weather: Multiple warnings for snow and ice with lows of -3C expected

Ireland is braced for hazardous conditions and travel disruption as Met Éireann issued warnings for ice and cold temperatures over the coming days.

A status yellow low temperature and ice warning will be in place for the Republic on Tuesday and Wednesday nights as temperatures dip to as low as -3 degrees Celsius.

Met Éireann said it would be very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches. The weather agency said there could be hazardous conditions on roads and paths and some travel disruption.

The UK Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for snow and ice in the North during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. It said wintry showers and icy surfaces could lead to difficult travel conditions.

Met Éireann meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell said cold arctic air will move southwards over the country on Tuesday.

"It will continue cold right through the working week with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 2 to 6 degrees, and temperatures falling widely below freezing at night," she said.

"We’ll see a widespread frost developing and icy stretches too, leading to slippery conditions under foot and possibly travel disruption in some areas."

She added: “"That northerly airflow will also bring scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow through the week and with those cold temperatures, that precipitation will tend to freeze, increasing icy conditions, so do take care when out and about."

Looking ahead towards the end of the week, there is a chance of some rain, sleet or snow moving into the south on Thursday.

Met Éireann said there was the possibility of some wet and windy weather at the weekend but still with a high degree of uncertainty.