LAST UPDATE | 16 Jan

A STATUS YELLOW weather warning for low temperatures and ice  has come into effect for all counties until 11am tomorrow morning. 

Met Éireann has warned that it will be very cold this evening, tonight and tomorrow morning, with severe frost and icy stretches. 

People are being asked to consider the possible impacts of this weather, including difficult travelling conditions, issues for people who are vulnerable to the cold, and animal welfare issues. 

“Scattered showers will transfer south over the country tonight but will become isolated as they do so,” Met Éireann’s forecast for tonight says.

“The showers mainly falling as rain or sleet but the odd light snow flurry is possible.

“Later in the night, the showers will become confined to the northwest but will turn increasingly to snow. Lowest temperatures of -4 to -1 degrees with a sharp to severe frost and icy stretches forming. A light northerly or variable breeze will allow patches of fog or freezing fog to develop.”

Lowest official temperature this morning is now -7.4c at Thomastown in Kilkenny. Lovely early colour in the sky near in Tullow with some good sunny spells ahead. Rain, sleet and snow in Northern areas. pic.twitter.com/9M70BG2c5E

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 16, 2024

There was a Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Louth in place until 11am this morning following outbreaks of sleet and snow in some areas overnight.

Many woke up to snowfall in Belfast city this morning. 

We’re live with the latest on the snow and ice on @bbcradioulster & @BBCRadioFoyle this morning. Warnings are in place. (Photo - Clonard Monastery, Belfast). #IrlSnow #Sneachta pic.twitter.com/X0LGxE1UFd

— Barra Best (@barrabest) January 16, 2024

There was also widespread snow in rural areas of Northern Ireland, specifically in hilly areas. 

Snowy roads in Co Antrim this morning. Arthur McAuley. Arthur McAuley.

Industrial action planned in Northern Ireland later this week, in conjunction with the cold weather, could disrupt transport and other public services, the public has been warned.

Met Éireann has a cold weather advisory in place until Friday. 

It said that arctic air will cause hazards in the coming days, with sharp to severe frosts, icy patches, sleet and snow all expected. Northern areas are to be most affected, and snow showers will be heaviest for those living in hilly parts.