Cold snap to intensify this week

An alert for winter storm conditions has been issued for the southeast of Ireland today as a cold arctic air grips the country.

Heavy snow of 10 - 20cms is predicted for the Dublin and Wicklow mountains later today.

Sleet and freezing fog is forecast for the rest of Leinster, while winds will increase to 40 - 70kms later this evening.

While some places will remain dry, the wind chill factor from will make temperatures feel like 1-3 degrees Celsius.

Mixed wintry showers will continue tonight with heavy snow in the southeast of the country. A low temperature of -2 is predicted for the midlands.

Freezing fog will descend once again tonight and continue into the early morning, Tuesday, and it will continue very cold for the rest of the day.

Wednesday will see more freezing fog due to last most of the day with morning lows of -6 to -3 Celsius forecast.

Thursday is more of the same, with freezing fog and frost in many parts.