Friday set to be one of the coldest nights of the year

Friday is set to be one of the coldest nights of the year with temperatures expected to drop to -4 degrees overnight.

The coldest night recorded so far in 2014 was in Mullingar where temperatures fell to -4.3 degrees on February 10th.

Meanwhile, Limerick has become the latest county to see snow fall for the first time this winter. A shower of white stuff is currently dusting the north east of the city as well as parts of Co Clare.

Snowy conditions have also been reported around Letterkenny, Mallow and Carrick-on-Shannon, with icy road conditions in Monaghan town and Mullingar.

Icy conditions remain in Mullingar, particularly on local roads where black ice has been reported, and drivers should take extreme care on the N52 Ardee/Dundalk Road at Readypenny when approaching Dundalk.

Drivers are warned to take extra care after overnight snow and frost created icy stretches on roads and to use major routes when possible.

Pedestrians are also advised to take extra precautions on icy footpaths and untreated road surfaces, while drivers should remember to de-ice their car before setting off to work.

The icy conditions have prompted Met Éireann to issue a status yellow weather alert, the lowest of the three categories of warning.

Met Éireann has forecast scattered outbreaks of rain,sleet and snow during the evening. It will be mostly dry overnight with wintery showers in the North West.

Afternoon temperatures are expected to range between 3 to 6 degrees with some bright spells.

The forecaster has warned northern counties of prolonged wintery showers throughout Friday afternoon.

Met Éireann meteorologist Siobhán Ryan says the “raw” weather conditions are set to continue through the weekend.

“Tonight will be one of the coldest nights so far this year. There’s a risk of wintry showers in the northwest with snow in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo later tonight and first thing tomorrow.”

She said an active line of instability would continue to move down from the north, bringing snow to Ulster and a chance of hail and thunder to coastal areas in Connacht and Munster.

Snowfall is expected to become more isolated overnight as temperatures drop to -4 degrees.

Met Éireann says a small amount of snowfall may resume later in the night across parts of the midlands, the west and the north of the country, but will leave only a dusting of snow on the ground.

Many areas will become dry and clear as widespread frost develops with icy stretches around the country.

AA Roadwatch reminds drivers that "gentle manoeuvres" are the key to safe driving in icy conditions.

It says motorists should remember that stopping distances are ten times longer on ice and snow and to leave a large gap between their vehicle and the car in front when driving.

Drivers heading to Dingle's Other Voices music event this weekend should reduce their speed and take extreme care on the roads following reports of sleet on the N86 Dingle/Tralee Road, particularly at Gleann na nGealt.

Is there a chance this snowy weather will continue until Christmas? Paddy Power has placed the odds of a white Christmas at 4 to 1 in Cork city and 7 to 2 in Dublin and Belfast.