Met Éireann issues snow and ice warning for five counties from midnight

A Status Yellow warning is in place

It is understood that the Status Yellow warning will remain in place until noon on Thursday.

The national forecaster has warned of widespread frost, icy conditions and the chance of sleet and snow in some areas as an 'Arctic air mass' is settling over Ireland.

Today, temperatures range from 6 to 10 degrees, however, it will likely feel colder due to gusty west to northwest winds.

Met Éireann warn snow showers could be on the way as the national forecaster says temperatures will plummet to -1C tonight.

They warn rain showers will turn wintry with hail and sleet.

The forecaster said snow could fall, especially on higher ground.

A forecaster said: "Cold and breezy tonight under long clear spells with scattered showers becoming increasingly confined to the north and west. Some of the showers will turn wintry with hail and sleet, and possibly some snow too, especially on higher ground.

"Lowest temperatures of -1 to 3 degrees with some frost and icy patches in moderate to fresh and gusty northerly winds, stronger along exposed coasts. Winds will tend to moderate inland as the night goes on."

For tomorrow, they predict: "Cold tomorrow, Wednesday, with sunshine and scattered showers, some of them wintry with hail and sleet.

"Some snow showers are possible too, mainly over higher ground in the north and northwest.

"Highest temperatures of just 3 to 7 degrees, and feeling even colder with an added wind chill factor from moderate to fresh north to northwest winds, stronger near exposed coasts."

Thursday will start cold and frosty, with sunny spells and the odd shower here and there. Thursday night will again turn very cold before clouds thicken from the west, and the first signs of change are in sight.

It is understood that by Friday, milder Atlantic air will make its way towards the country, bringing cloudier skies and outbreaks of rain and drizzle spreading eastwards through the day.

Temperatures will range from 4 or 5 degrees in the northeast to as high as 11 degrees near western coasts.