Met Éireann has upgraded its snow and ice warning to Status Orange in nine counties as snow continues to fall.
The Orange warning will remain in place in Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Connacht, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath until midnight tonight.
The forecaster said there will be further spells of sleet and snow combined with strong east to northeast winds.
It said significant accumulations of snow are expected in some areas along with icy conditions.
Meanwhile, a second Orange Snow Ice warning will come into force for Leinster between midnight tonight and 10am tomorrow.
Multiple schools across Munster have announced closures due to the snowfall overnight alongside at least one school in Dublin.
People in snow-hit areas have been posting pictures to social media all morning.
"You might just as well say," added the March Hare, "that 'I like what I get' is the same thing as 'I get what I like'!" #snow #sneachta #weather #thursdaymorning @deric_tv @Dublin14Weather @Irishwildlife @UNBiodiversity @ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/jS8jPluvKo
— SavetheHellfire (@SavetheHellfire) March 9, 2023
#sneachta 🌨️🌨️🌨️🌨️ Snow day in County Tipperary ⛄️🌨️⛄️😊 pic.twitter.com/84D8lh9RJv
— Dorothy Molloy 🇮🇪✍️📜😊 (@1dor) March 9, 2023
#sneachta #Limerick Mick & Eamon pic.twitter.com/Hth5hPD0mO
— David Hannan (@DavidCHannan) March 9, 2023
Met Éireann said the rain, sleet and snow will be accompanied by strengthening easterly winds as it moves northwards, with accumulations and icy conditions expected in many areas.
The forecaster is warning drivers to take care – with hazardous driving conditions and poor visibility set to cause disruption on the roads.
The Road Safety Authority is urging people to “slow down, drive a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and look out for vulnerable road users”.
#Sneachta: Motorists are advised of dangerous conditions due to heavy overnight snowfall in parts of County #Limerick. Areas around Abbeyfeale and Templeglantine are particularly affected. pic.twitter.com/6cmLDvPCCz
— Limerick Council - Comhairle Luimnigh (@LimerickCouncil) March 9, 2023
Two trucks and a Bus off the road just outside Lissycasey on the Ennis side. Photo sent in by follower. I also came across a car gone off the road in Laois. Take great care on roads in areas seeing snow. pic.twitter.com/gs4NvGOF4i
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) March 9, 2023
#Sneachta: The N21 at Barna in County #Limerick is impassable for HGV’s as they are unable to climb due to heavy snow this morning pic.twitter.com/wN5aVHN7Dj
— Limerick Council - Comhairle Luimnigh (@LimerickCouncil) March 9, 2023
Meanwhile, a separate Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning is due to come into force across the country from 9pm tonight.
Met Éireann is warning of widespread icy stretches through the night and into tomorrow morning.
The warning is due to be lifted at 10am tomorrow.
Killakee House in the #sneachta pic.twitter.com/Ba1unRojvw
— SavetheHellfire (@SavetheHellfire) March 9, 2023
Lots of #sneachta in #Glencree #Wicklow and lots more #snow to come @CarlowWeather pic.twitter.com/iX2gzC9ljP
— MsMc (@AmyGlencree) March 9, 2023
Oscar enjoying the ⛄️ ❄️ #sneachta #snow #Tipperary #march2023 🐶 pic.twitter.com/FelaOrNWly
— Eleanor (@EleanorSfarmerE) March 9, 2023
Some doin's have been transpirin' here in #Limerick overnight. #sneachta pic.twitter.com/zSTeNlu1li
— Niall Quinn ...Yes, THE Niall Quinn. 🇮🇪 ALAW MOT (@NiallQuinnLK73) March 9, 2023
Cloughjordan ecovillage sa #sneachta! pic.twitter.com/hLxgd4dEer
— Sheelagh na Gig (@sheelaghnagig) March 9, 2023
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... Come on... Pretty but it's almost Spring! #snow #sneachta pic.twitter.com/OvslBLsR84
— Dr Christel McMullan 😷 🇨🇵 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 (@christel_UoB) March 9, 2023
