Motorists warned of black ice and snow

The Road Safety Authority is warning motorists to take extra care this morning as heavy snow is forecast for several counties.

A Status Orange snow and ice warning is in place for counties Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, with snow accumulations of between up to 8cm expected.

Cold enough for #snow.... Jo pic.twitter.com/uWefTMso4D

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) January 14, 2016

GALWAY: Gardai say most routes travelling into and around Galway City are affected by ice this morning. Slow down. https://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8

— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) January 14, 2016

A Status Yellow snow and ice warning is also in place for Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway and Roscommon where up to 4cm of snow could fall before midnight.

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Even this 4x4 was no match for Cork's icy roads

Brian Farrell from the RSA said that black-ice can be particularly treacherous when temperatures dip below freezing.

"If you're looking out this mnorning and there's no snow on the roads, that doesn't mean it's safe," he said.

"We have had a lot of rain recently, and Met Éireann are predicting temperatures below 0, so that means that we could have icy roads.

These are the current temps and they will continue to drop in the next few hrs. Icy stretches in places - take care! pic.twitter.com/LYcbgAYx97

— Cecilia Daly (@WeatherCee) January 14, 2016

"While many of the national and secondary routes may be gritted, all the smaller, local roads may not have been gritted.

"So you reallt need to be on guard, slow down, be ready to react in case of a loss of traction and a loss of control of the vehichle."

CORK: Ice is a problem on the Watergrasshill/ Rathcormac Rd (R639). Slow down. https://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8

— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) January 14, 2016

CLARE: Gardai say the N85 Ennis/ Ennistymon Rd is particularly treacherous this morning. Drive eith extreme care. https://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8

— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) January 14, 2016