LAST UPDATE | 8 Jan 2021

THERE WAS WIDESPREAD frost and ice this morning across the country with motorists advised to take care on the roads. 

A new Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning will come into effect nationwide from 5pm today. The warning will last until midday tomorrow.

Last night was cold with temperatures reaching as low as -4 degrees Celsius. 

Temperatures tonight will range from -2 degrees Celsius and could reach as low as -7 degrees. 

A Yellow ice warning was also in place in Northern Ireland until 12pm this afternoon. 

AA Roadwatch said there were widespread icy conditions on the roads this morning, with particular care needed on secondary and minor roads.

It advised to stick to main routes where possible as they are more likely to have been gritted. 

Gardaí in Sligo have reported treacherous conditions on the Collooney/Ballysadare road (R290) and have advised using alternative routes.

In Wicklow, gardaí have warned drivers to avoid the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap due to treacherous road conditions. 

Met Éireann said the rest of today will be dry with bright winter sunshine. Well scattered wintry showers will also occur mainly in Ulster and east Leinster.

Temperatures will reach one to five degrees Celsius at most with light to moderate northernly breezes.

A “severe” frost is set to begin soon after dark. 

A member of the public out for a walk with their dog in an icy Johnstown Park this morning, RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Ballinasloe Harbour, on the River Suck in County Galway. Eamonn Farrell / RN Eamonn Farrell / RN / RN

Tonight will be extremely cold with widespread frost and ice. It will remain dry, calm and clear in many areas but wintry showers will affect east Leinster. The midlands could see the coldest temperatures, with lows of -7 forecast. 

Fog could also form in some areas.

Tomorrow morning will be extremely frosty and icy with freezing fog in parts. Some wintry showers will affect east Leinster with patchy rain and drizzle moving throughout the day into the west and northwest of the country.

Other areas will stay dry with some sunny spells. Highest temperatures will reach between just one to four degrees Celsius.

Looking ahead, next week should see a return to more normal temperatures for this time of year but will become more unsettled, Met Éireann said.

With reporting from Sean Murray