Heavy rains and gales to replace big freeze

MET Éireann has warned of more severe weather conditions in the south of the country today, with the big freeze being replaced by heavy rain and high winds.

Temperatures will fall to between +2C and -2C early tonight with frost and icy patches inland but any frost will be gone by morning as wet and windy weather extends from the southwest.

Heavy rain is forecast for later today over Munster and south Leinster with some local flooding and winds gusting to 100 km/h. Highest temperatures in those ares is expected to be 5C to 8C. Cold, cloudy and windy elsewhere with scattered outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow and highest temperatures only 1 to 4 degrees.