CARLOW WEATHER: Widespread frost and ice with lying snow expected today (Jan 18)

Weather today (January 18) is expected to be cold with widespread frost and ice with lying snow in some places. 

That's according to Met Éireann, which also forecasts sunny spells and scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow throughout the day, with isolated hail and thunder possible too. 

By evening, showers will be isolated mainly in Ulster with highest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in a moderate to fresh west to northwest wind. 

Tonight will be very cold with frost and icy stretches developing in many areas, leading to hazardous conditions. 

There will be clear spells and scattered wintry showers in Ulster and north Leinster but it will become cloudy elsewhere, with outbreaks of rain and sleet developing overnight in Connacht and Munster. 

Lowest temperatures of -4 to -1 degrees, colder locally in Ulster and the north midlands.

Patches of freezing fog will develop in light and variable winds. 

A Winter Weather Advisory alert from Met Éireann remains in place until Friday, with motorists advised to expect icy stretches on roads with showers of hail, sleet and snow.