Snow warning issued to motorists

Motorists were today warned to take extreme caution on the roads with snow expected across much of the country.

Further disruption was also expected to some early morning flights between Ireland and London after the UK experienced its worst snowfall in 18 years.

Met Éireann issued a severe weather warning for overnight and today with further snowfall expected to be up to eight centimetres deep in some parts.

Aer Lingus was forced to cancel all its flights to and from London Heathrow yesterday, while some Gatwick routes and Ryanair flights between Shannon and Stansted were affected.

Gardaí warned that driving conditions were extremely hazardous and were expected to deteriorate.

Motorists were asked to slow down and only make journeys if absolutely necessary.

Met Éireann said snow showers affecting much of Leinster and west Ulster will spread to all other parts of Ireland by today.

The snowfall is expected to be between three to eight centimetres in many places with widespread penetrating frost and temperatures plummeting to as low as -3 degrees Celsius overnight.

The snow and sub-zero temperatures drew an appeal from Age Action for people to keep in contact with their older neighbours during the week.