Bitterly cold by day and night as cold spell continues

Met Éireann Weather Warning

The national weather forecaster is warning of "hazardous conditions" as a status yellow low temperature warning remains in place for all of Ireland until noon today.

Met Éireann is warning of a sharp to severe frost with icy surfaces, as temperatures widely fall to - 4 degrees Celsius. Some freezing fog patches are also forecast.

Conditions will remain bitterly cold both by day and night into early next week due to an Arctic airmass. Treacherous conditions with some severe frosts, icy stretches and dense freezing fog in parts too. Some hail, sleet or snow showers, but a good deal of dry weather overall.

Freezing fog likely at times, especially this weekend.

Very cold, and dry for much of the country today with low winter sunshine. Icy stretches, some lying snow, and patches of freezing fog in parts. Wintry showers will affect some northern and western coastal counties, some heavy near the coast. Temperatures not rising above 0 to 4 degrees, in light northwest or variable breezes.

A widespread sharp to severe frost will set in tonight along with icy stretches. While many areas will be dry, some showers of hail and snow will affect Atlantic coastal counties, but falling as rain near the coast. Lowest temperatures of -5 to -1 degrees in light westerly or variable breezes.

Generally dry with low winter sunshine tomorrow, Saturday, and isolated wintry showers. Frost and ice lingering in unsheltered areas, along with some patches of freezing fog. Highest temperatures of only 0 to +4 degrees, in light northwesterly breezes.

Dense freezing fog will form in parts overnight on Saturday leading to impaired visibility. A widespread sharp to severe frost is expected and icy stretches. Lowest temperatures of -5 to zero degrees.

Temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for most on Sunday with frost, ice and freezing fog persisting throughout the day. Mainly dry apart from isolated showers in some coastal margins. Highest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees in light, variable breezes.

Widespread frost and ice overnight on Sunday with lows ranging from -6 to -2 degrees. Wintry showers of sleet and snow will move in closer to the Atlantic coast

Remaining cold Monday as temperatures in many parts may stay below freezing. Any fog inland will likely persist. Again mostly dry with isolated wintry showers along coasts. Light easterly breezes.

Very cold overnight on Monday with lows of -2 to -4 degrees causing widespread frost, ice, and freezing fog in light northeasterly breezes. Clear for most with just coastal areas experiencing any cloud or isolated showers.

Current indications have Tuesday remaining cold with temperatures remaining below freezing. Again overall dry with freezing fog patches. Light northerly breezes.

Further outlook: Cold weather is likely to continue, though uncertainty in the fine details at this stage.

For winter weather preparation: www.winterready.ie