Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow warning for low temperatures and ice across ten counties tonight, with overnight lows expected to reach minus four degrees. It is set to be the coldest night of the winter so far.

Temperatures fell to minus two degrees at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin overnight. Daytime highs by lunchtime reached just two to three degrees in Knock in County Mayo, Glenanne in County Armagh and Portglenone in County Antrim.

The warning applies to Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Tipperary. Met Éireann has advised of widespread frost and icy stretches, with minimum temperatures of minus three degrees or lower in some areas. The alert is valid from 11pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday.

Travellers and farmers are being urged to take extra care and plan journeys carefully during the early hours.

In County Meath, the Horseracing Ireland has announced a 7.30am inspection at Fairyhouse Racecourse ahead of Friday’s scheduled fixture. Brendan Sheridan, Clerk of the Course, said the track is currently fit for racing and the ground remains heavy. A slight grass frost was observed earlier and temperatures are forecast to drop to minus three degrees overnight.

Looking ahead, a zonal Atlantic weather pattern will return from Friday and persist through next week. Rain and showers will be frequent with periods of strong winds. Temperatures will remain close to average, rising briefly above average around mid-week.