Motorists have been warned this weekend will be the coldest of the year with overnight temperatures plummeting as low as minus five degrees.
All parts of the country could see falls of snow this weekend as showers from the north turn to snow especially on high ground.
Met Éireann said temperatures will fall quickly this evening with sleet or snow showers and icy stretches expected.
There will be a severe frost overnight with minimum temperatures of 0 to -4 degrees and the freezing temperatures are expected to continue into the middle of next week.
Connacht and Ulster and west Munster are likely to get the worst of any snowfall in the coming days with the likelihood of falls increasing in inland areas.
AA Roadwatch has issued a warning to motorists to avoid driving unless necessary and to be vigilant while driving after dark.
Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson said there was a danger of black ice, especially early in the morning.
“Road temperatures are often far lower than the air temperature and often drivers may not realise the roads are still icy,” she said.
“On these dark mornings, roads often refreeze around 7.30am or 8am, as we saw this morning, and there were a number of crashes as a result. “National primary roads will be the first to be treated, but even roads that are used regularly can be badly affected. Keep an eye on motorways and secondary routes.”
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said all motorists should be aware of the snow and foggy conditions which would make driving much more difficult.