The country also has cold weather warnings in place for rapid to severe frost, ice patches, and dense fog that can lead to dangerous conditions during travel. This advisory will be in effect until Friday night at 10:30 p.m.
The National Highway Safety Bureau warned motorists to slow down and be careful of vulnerable road users, saying the ice could make traffic difficult across the country.
This morning there is a chance of locally light snow and fog and fog before temperatures drop to between -3C and 2C overnight.
Met Éireann forecaster Deirdre Rowe said: “A low temperature and ice warning is in place across Ireland from 9pm last night to 10am this morning, with the possibility of ice forming in many parts of the country. ” he said.
Fog and fog are expected to clear early this morning, with a “winter storm” forming in some areas overnight. Last night’s low temperature dropped to -5 degrees, but it will be sunny today.
“It’s going to be a crisp winter day, but then we’ll see a return to frost and fog,” Ms Lowe said.
“Nights may be even colder as there is a bit less wind. Temperatures can drop to -6 degrees Celsius and ice fog is possible in the central and northern parts, making conditions dangerous for travel.”
He urged commuters to remain aware of “spots of ice on untreated roads and pavements” as temperatures have fallen to “well below normal for this time of year”.
“Rush hour can be a bit tricky, a lot of the main roads need to be treated and winter showers can cause problems as the salt can be washed away. ” she said.
“Winter showers are not very common, but one or two may fall in the Irish Sea, so please be careful when traveling.”
Temperatures will drop tonight, with western and central counties likely to feel the brunt of the cold. Frost and ice form quickly after dark, as minimum temperatures can reach at least -3°C.
Tomorrow will be even colder, with temperatures expected to range between 3C and 7C during the day, with patchy rain along the east coast and patches of sunshine further west.
“It’s going to be cold for the rest of this week,” Lowe said.
“We’ll probably see some warmer temperatures Wednesday and Thursday, some more clouds around, then an area of high pressure moving in and winds dropping again on Friday.”
“There will also be fog and fog Thursday night and Friday night.”
This week will be dominated by a high-pressure system that will keep the weather dry and cold, with sunshine during the day but frost and ice forming at night.