South set to avoid worst of weather

THE southern half of the country looks likely to escape the severe arctic conditions weather forecasters are expecting to arrive in the next couple of days.

Met Éireann has issued a severe weather warning predicting heavy snowfalls in the north-west of the country between midday today and midnight tomorrow.

Blizzard conditions and snowdrifts are likely in counties Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan.