The first significant snowfall hit many parts of the country on Thursday, with forecasters warning it will become widespread as the day goes on.
Met Éireann said in a tweet that wintry showers were extending to all areas, "increasingly falling as snow to lower levels as the day goes on".
People have taken to social media to post pictures of the snowfall from as far afield as Donegal, Mayo, Kerry, Antrim and Cork.
Wintry showers extending to all areas, increasingly falling as snow to lower levels as the day goes on. Cold. Temperatures 3 to 5 Celcius
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 12, 2017
Just a taste of the snow in Tipperary. Walking through the Red Hills outside Hollyford. #BearaBreifneWay pic.twitter.com/a1VJfRHglC
— Ireland / Breifne (@ireland) January 12, 2017
Not a bad day to be off work! ❄️ #Snow #SnowNI #Countryside #NorthernIreland #Fermanagh pic.twitter.com/41TJlAmzIg
— Dale Armstrong (@DaleArmstrong53) January 12, 2017
#Snow starting to settle on the beach at #Portstewart, Northern Ireland right now! By Anthony D Hawkins / @DeeoreRT 10/30 #eustorm #winter pic.twitter.com/nu5QldMELf
— #eustorm (@EUStormMap) January 12, 2017
Cork / Kerry border now! @C103Cork #snow pic.twitter.com/oa82Ou0yhF
— ~???~ (@HelenMunster) January 12, 2017
First snow in Teerelton Co.Cork Ireland 10 am on 12-01-2017 pic.twitter.com/1S4PddW7WT
— Peter Bosman (@PeterBosman11) January 12, 2017
A status orange snow and ice warning is in place in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, while the rest of the country falls under the lower status yellow warning until 6pm on Friday.
The alert warned there is a “risk of drifting and blizzard conditions” and scattered thunderstorms during the two days.
Snow is expected to build-up on low ground, particularly on higher levels.
Meteorologist Matthew Martin said Thursday would be a "bitterly cold" day.
“The temperatures themselves won’t be anything spectacular, probably a maximum of 2 or 3 degrees, but it will sub-zero because there is going to be very strong north westerly wind,” he said.
Mr Martin told The Irish Times the heaviest snowfall would be in Ulster and north Connacht of between 2cm-5cm and probably more in higher grounds.
“Particularly Thursday evening and early Thursday night would be the best chance snow of settling elsewhere across the country,” he said.
Mr Martin said along the Atlantic and north coasts there was a risk of thunderstorms and lightning within the heavy showers.
The term “thundersnow” has been used online to describe a thunderstorm in whichc snow falls instead of rain.
However, Mr Martin said it was not a meteorological term.
Have you seen snow in your area? Send us your photos or videos to newsdesk@irishtimes.com.
