Severe frost and dangerous road conditions persist nationwide

Road temperatures have dropped to well below zero in parts of the country on Monday morning, with widespread severe frost and icy stretches making driving conditions difficult.

Particular care is advised in counties Monaghan, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Offaly according to AA Roadwatch, who also warn of black ice around Sligo town and dense fog around The Curragh in Kildare and in Kilkenny City.

The lowest temperature of the winter was recorded on Sunday night, with Met Éireann reporting a low of minus 6.3 degrees in Mullingar.

AA Roadwatch said that road temperatures have fallen to below minus 7 degrees in some places.

They have also reminded drivers that stopping distances are 10 times longer in the ice, and that main roads are most likely to be treated first.

A status yellow weather warning has been in effect since Sunday, but is due to be lifted at 10am on Monday with temperatures set to steadily rise to between 5 and 7 degrees throughout the day.