Winter weather makes its icy debut

WINTER arrived in icy earnest as freezing temperatures, heavy snow showers and sleet hit many parts of the country.

Northern and eastern regions were worst affected with snowfalls closing roads in places and gardaí warning of treacherous driving conditions on other routes.

The cold snap began on Tuesday night when temperatures dropped to -3C in the midlands and parts of the east, leaving conditions perfect for rain to turn to snow yesterday morning.