Temperatures are set to drop overnight as a Status Yellow snow and ice warning has been issued for eight counties and Connacht.

Met Éireann said wintry showers will lead to icy conditions in some areas, bringing the potential for hazardous road conditions and slippery paths.

The warning came into effect at 8pm for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath and Connacht and will remain in place until midday tomorrow.

The forecaster said it will be a cold and blustery night with clear spells and scattered wintry showers, with falls of snow in places. Some of these showers will be heavy with hail and thunder and temperatures will drop to around -2C in places.

Separately, the UK Met Office has issued a Yellow snow and ice warning for counties Antrim, Derry, Down and Tyrone. It came into place at 5pm and will remain in place until 11am tomorrow.

Overnight snow showers are likely to lead to slippery and unsafe conditions on untreated roads, cycle paths and pavements.