Met Éireann warns blast of 'cold arctic air' could impact travel as warnings take effect

Met Éireann is warning of possible disruptions to travel as the first cold snap of the winter is set to impact most of the country over the next couple of days.

Six counties - Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo - remain under a snow-ice warning until 11am while a warning for all of Ireland is set to come into effect at 8pm today with temperatures likely to drop to as low as -3 overnight.

"Very cold this morning with outbreaks of rain gradually moving south. Turning to sleet and possibly snow over higher ground. Sunny and dry spells will develop from the north during this afternoon with highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in a chilly northerly breeze," states the latest forecast from Met Éireann.

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Commenting on the current cold snap, Meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell said as the rain clears through the day, the cold arctic air will move southwards over the country.

She says Tuesday will be notably colder but that it will be bright at times with some sunshine. "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. We’ll see a widespread frost developing and icy stretches too, leading to slippery conditions under foot and possibly travel disruption in some areas.”

According to the latest Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland it will be "very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches".

Met Eireann says possible impacts will include hazardous conditions on roads and paths and some travel disruption.