Temperatures across Ireland are set to plummet below zero over the next 48 hours, Met Eireann has confirmed. The State forecaster issued a rare country-wide weather warning for low temperatures and ice on Monday afternoon.

A bout of snow, sleet and incredibly cold weather is headed for Ireland, with the working week to see temperatures drop to -4 as Met Eireann issue a warning for Ireland

Weather expert Alan O'Reilly, who mans the ever-reliable @CarlowWeather account on X, posted: "Rain moving into most areas this morning with a wet day ahead. Temperatures ranging from -1c in North to 12c in South. The rain will the to sleet and snow in parts tonight and tomorrow morning with a cold week before the risk of a stormy weekend."

The cold snap has well and truly arrived, with snow set to fall in parts of the country throughout the week ahead - starting as early as this evening according to Met Eireann

It's set to be a cold week ahead with wintry showers, frost, icy patches, and temperatures as low as -3C expected. Met Éireann has said wintry hazards, including sleet, frost, and ice, are expected as a cold weather advisory remains in place until Saturday this week.