Light the fires: More snow and cold weather expected tonight

It really was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas today as snow and sleet fell around the country.

And the cold weather looks set to continue tonight as temperatures are expected to fall to zero degrees.

"We saw some snow and sleet this morning. What brought that along was some intense rain that turned progressively to sleet and snow due to the cold weather," Aoife Murray of Met Éireann told Independent.ie.

"Most of these showers are now rain and as the day gets cooler, there will be more snow and sleet possible for later tonight, but mostly on high ground, but it could fall to lower ground, mostly in the west and north of the country."

People all across the country have been sharing their snow pictures on social media this morning, with some of you sending them to Independent.ie.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Ireland, today has been a miserable one with heavy showers all across the country.

Met Éireann issued a status yellow rain warning for three counties today - Donegal, Mayo and Sligo.

Rainfall of up to 35mm is expected and the warning is in place until 9pm tonight.

For the rest of the country, the cold and rainy weather will continue throughout the rest of the day.

There is also a chance of thunder according to the national weather forecaster.

Temperatures of between 6 and 9 degrees are expected.

AA Roadwatch have warned motorists to reduce their speed and "leave a safe braking distance from the vehicle in front of you".

Snow bucketing down in Charlestown, Finglas. Not sticking though #IndoSubmit pic.twitter.com/k9KkBZyfus

— Cathal McMahon (@CathalJourno) November 17, 2016

Earlier today, there was crash on the M9 Dublin/Waterford road between the Kilkenny and Kilkenny south junctions which has now been reopened.

While in Dublin, there was a collision on the slip from the N3 Navan Rd to the M50 southbound.

A collision was reported this morning on the M6/N6 Dublin to Galway road between the Ballinasloe and Athlone junctions.

Traffic had been reduced to one lane but all lanes are now open.

Today: cold &blustery,&freq shwrs of rain/hail. Some shwrs turning to sleet on higher ground. Max 6-9C in fresh to strong &gusty W'rly winds

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 17, 2016

Didn't expect snow this morning. Winter has well and truly arrived in ireland

— De Wreck Dolandho (@delq78) November 17, 2016

Whatever else I wanted this season, it wasn't snow.pic.twitter.com/9GXnynPnVR

— Marian (@m4m6girl) November 17, 2016

#snow it's snowing in the Midlands #ireland

— Susan Maxwell (@susanmaxwell777) November 17, 2016

SNOW wtf Ireland

— alysha (@ethereaIIwt) November 17, 2016

Gardaí also earlier attended a three-car crash on N11 northbound at J11 Greystones.

Drivers are being advised to take care.

Have you got pictures of snow in your area? Send them into us at contact@independent.ie or use the #IndoSubmit on Twitter