Met Éireann and the UK Met Office have issued a series of Status Yellow warnings as the first significant cold spell of the winter sets in.

Friday to Saturday

A Snow and Ice warning for Donegal is in effect from 8pm on Friday until 11am on Saturday. Wintry showers are expected to become more widespread with some snow likely on higher ground. Met Éireann says travel may be difficult at times and visibility may be reduced. The warning was issued on Friday morning.

The UK Met Office has issued a similar Yellow Snow and Ice warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry. It is valid from 3pm on Friday until midday on Saturday. Forecasters expect wintry showers to cause some disruption to travel.

Saturday to Monday

A separate Status Yellow warning for low temperatures and ice has been issued for Munster, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. Temperatures are forecast to fall to between minus two and minus four degrees on Saturday night. Met Éireann says sharp or severe frost and icy stretches will lead to hazardous travel. The warning runs from 6pm on Saturday until 11am on Sunday.

Another Snow and Ice warning applies to Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Connacht and Louth for the same period. Wintry showers may bring further snow accumulations along with severe frost and ice. Poor visibility and difficult travel conditions are expected.

The UK Met Office has also issued a longer Yellow Snow and Ice warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone and Derry. Snow and ice may cause disruption throughout the weekend and into Monday morning. This warning is in place from midday on Saturday until midday on Monday.

Marine warnings remain in force. A Status Yellow alert covers the stretch from Slyne Head to Belfast Lough to Dungarvan, where northwest to north winds are expected to reach force 6 or higher. The warning is valid until 9pm on Saturday

Outlook

The cold weather is likely to persist through next week, although some brief milder interludes are likely from Tuesday. A battleground scenario, where a rain-bearing front meets entrenched colder air , could also arise. This could bring snowfall to parts of Ireland, particularly in the north.