Ireland Irish weather forecast: Winter officially arrives in Ireland as snow falls after Met Eireann warning

© Collins Snowy conditions Dun Laoghaire in Dublin in March 2018 Winter has officially arrived in parts of the country as the first pictures of snow emerged this afternoon.

Motorists have been warned of snowfall across the south midlands with seven counties also under a Status Yellow warning until 2am.

The warning for heavy rain is in place for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wicklow, Offaly and Tipperary.

Met Eireann confirmed that the rain will turn to sleet and snow in places, so it'd be a good time to take the winter woolies out.

AA Roadwatch has said that snow is affecting part of the M7 between J15 Ballybrittas in Co Laois and J14 Monastrevin in Kildare.

Rain, hail...and maybe snow as cold snap kicks in across country

Rain, hailand maybe snow as cold snap kicks in across country © Getty Crisis as ‘Beast from East' looms While snow is predicted in areas on mountains and hills, a band of rain from the Atlantic will bring sleet, rain and even thunder in some parts of the country.

And Met Eireann have warned parts of Ireland will feel strong winds and heavy rain across much of the week. Snow fell on higher ground in Donegal A Met Eireann forecaster revealed: "Wednesday will see a dry and bright start in the east of the country but rain will spread across the country from the

A Met Eireann forecaster warned : "Rain will spread countrywide quickly accompanied by strong winds too. Met Eireann 's current forecast states: "A cold start with sharp frost and icy patches widely, but "Cloud increasing with rain arriving into the west and southwest later this afternoon, extending

There are also reports of spot flooding near the M7/M7 merge near Naas in Co Kildare.

Motorists are advised to slow down and allow space between the vehicle in front.

Weather chiefs also warned that the mercury will drop below freezing tonight, which could cause build-ups of snow and sleet to freeze in places.

However, a spokesman said the forecaster expects the snow to clear overnight and early tomorrow.

Met Eireann had earlier issued a Status Yellow rain warning which they believe will turn to "sleet and snow" and lead to "spot flooding".

A spokesman for the national forecaster said: "Generally cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain, light in northern areas but heavy at times elsewhere with a risk of hail and thunder.

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The national forecaster is warning that 'vigorous and potentially disruptive' Atlantic systems could hit Ireland over the coming days. STORM chasers are on their way to Ireland as Met Eireann issue a status yellow snow ice warning . The national forecaster is warning that 'vigorous and potentially

The Met Office also has a yellow weather warning out for south Wales and parts of Somerset and The Met Office has large yellow warning out for Thursday that stretches from southern England In northern England as well as Scotland and Northern Ireland , coastal showers are predicted with the

"Top temperatures 5 to 8 degrees. Some of the rain will turn to sleet and snow in parts of Munster, Leinster and Connacht. Brisk northwest winds in the southwest today, but winds lighter and more variable elsewhere.

"The wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow will gradually clear southwards tonight.

"Cold clear spells will develop, with frost and some icy patches developing. Lowest temperatures of -1 to plus 3 degrees."

Thursday will be cold, dry and sunny for most of the day, with some showers affecting coastal counties in Leinster, Connacht and west Ulster.

It will be another bitterly cold night tomorrow, with temperatures again getting as low as -1 degrees.

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