Wrap up warm: cold snap to last until after the weekend

Temperatures to fall as snow and sleet predicted overnight in some parts of the country

Spring has sprung but premature ditching of hats and scarves would be unwise with cold conditions predicted until after the weekend with frost and icy patches most nights and the risk of sleet and snow in some places.

Frost and ice are lingering on a number of roads on Wednesday morning and drivers are being advised to slow down, keep a safe distance from the car in front and allow extra time for their journeys.

Icy conditions have been reported in Co Roscommon on the Frenchpark/ Boyle Road (R361) and also on the N61 Roscommon / Boyle Road particularly between Tulsk and Boyle.

There is black ice on the N3 Dublin/ Cavan Road at Lisgrey and also between Virginia and Kells at Whitegate Cross. Gardaí say there are treacherous conditions on all roads around Bailieborough and black ice is also a problem on the N52 Kells/ Ardee Road.

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Roads around Enfield, Rathmolyon, Kilcock and Summerhill in Co Meath are also icy .

Frost and fog will gradually clear on Wednesday leading to a clear, mainly dry day across northern and eastern areas with some sunny spells developing. However, further south and west it will be cloudier with outbreaks of rain affecting parts of Munster, south Leinster as well as Atlantic coastal counties.

Temperatures will fall to minus 2 overnight leading to widespread severe frost and ice forming on untreated surfaces. Sleet and snow will fall towards dawn in some places.

Thursday will be cold and bright with any frost, ice and fog slowly clearing to yield a mostly dry day with spells of hazy sunshine and the odd light shower. Temperatures will again fall to minus 2 overnight.

A cold and frosty start can be expected on Friday. Some sleet or snow is predicted for the southern half of the country.

It will be cold over the weekend with outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow over the southern half of the country on Saturday.

Sunday looks to be a drier and brighter day with light northerly winds.