Drivers are being advised to leave extra time for their journeys this evening as snow and ice is forecast in parts of the country later.

Met Eireann has issued a weather warning, a prediction that up to 3 centimetres of snow could fall in Ulster, north Leinster, and parts of east Connacht.

Tony Tobin, Training Director with the Institute of Advanced Motorists of Ireland, says drivers need prepare before they set out on a journey in icy conditions and he says one of the key thigns to remember is to clear snow of your vehicle before any journey.

“One of the first things to do is remove all residue of snow off the car,” he said.

“When the car heats up this is going to become loose. If you go around a corner it’s going to fall off – it could fall off on a pedestrian or if it’s on the roof, the minute you break it’s going to find itself slipping off the roof onto the windscreen and your wipers simply will not be able to clear it.”

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across Ireland for this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow.

A band of rain and sleet will extend from the west this evening and tonight - turning to snow at times, with colder air further east and north.

Snow of up to 3cms could fall in Ulster, north Leinster, and parts of east Connacht - particularly over high ground.

While eastern and northern areas will see some frost and possibly ice for a time.

Later tonight, it will become drier and clearer in western counties - but temperatures will fall around dawn with ice forming on untreated surfaces.

The alert has been in place from 5pm this evening and will remain until 11am tomorrow.

Joan Blackburn from Met Éireann spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime earlier.

Michael O'Sullivan is chief superintendent at the Garda National Traffic Bureau.

He has these tips for drivers.