Met Éireann issues two new Status Yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and rain

Met Éireann has issued two separate Status Yellow weather warnings for different parts of the country over the coming days.

A Status Yellow snow and ice warning for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim and Sligo is in place from 6pm this evening until noon on Wednesday.

The national forecaster said there will be lying snow and freezing temperatures in parts this evening and overnight.

Falls of sleet and snow are expected on Wednesday morning, which could produce some temporary accumulations.

This could possibly lead to icy roads and paths and hazardous travelling conditions.

A separate Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

The alert is valid from 4pm on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday.

Prolonged rainfall is forecast through Wednesday and overnight may lead to localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow snow and ice warning for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath and all of Connacht, expired at noon today.

Wintry showers will move into the east and south in turn during the late morning or early afternoon, mainly reverting back to rain.

There is a chance of isolated thunderstorms too, becoming largely fine later this afternoon as the last of the showers clear the southeast.

Highest temperatures will range between 5C and 9C with an added wind chill factor owing to fresh and gusty northwest winds.

Overnight, frost and ice will set in quickly after dark under clear skies and easing winds.

It will be cold with lowest temperatures between -3C and 1C.

Later in the night, rain will develop in the southwest and across western fringes.

On Wednesday, it will be dry at first across much of the midlands, north and east with frost and ice clearing.

Outbreaks of rain elsewhere will soon become widespread, heaviest across Munster and Connacht with spot flooding.

Some local sleet or snow is possible for a time across the northern half of the country.

Highest afternoon temperatures will range between 2C and 5C in the north, but ranging between 7C and 11C further south, in fresh to strong and gusty south to southeast winds.

Thursday will be a mild and breezy day with sunny spells and showers, some heavy and prolonged.

Highest temperatures will range between 12C and 15C or 16C in moderate to fresh southwest winds, best values across the northeast.

Current indications suggest St Patrick's Day will be a showery day with a mix of sunny spells and showers, some of heavy and prolonged.

It will be relatively mild with highest temperatures between 12C and 15C or 16C, in moderate to fresh southerly winds with best values away from southern counties.