The country is set to experience a return to freezing weather conditions over the weekend, with Met Éireann saying that temperatures could drop as low as -5C.
The national forecaster says that maximum temperatures for St Patrick’s Day parades on Saturday will be 6C, but with a significant wind chill factor brought by fresh and gusty easterly winds.
#SonOfABeastFromTheEast still coming...look at that...most of you won’t have a clue what I mean when I say it’s minus 15 degrees at eight hundred and fifty millibars. But I bet it sent shivers down your spine and you’re quaking in your snow boots with fear #beastfromtheast2 lol pic.twitter.com/Viz8mrRF5O
— Tomasz Schafernaker (@Schafernaker) March 15, 2018
Small amounts of snow are expected in some areas later that night as with temperatures set to drop as low as -4C.
Here's the latest forecast for Saturday. #Snow for some and cold for everyone. Jo pic.twitter.com/2hhVpdM3ot
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) March 15, 2018
Temperatures are not expected to climb above 4C on Sunday afternoon, with cold, moderate to fresh and gusty easterly winds set to continue.
"Some sleet or snow showers will occur again, mainly in eastern areas," Met Éireann predicts, with "a few flurries" possible elsewhere.
Here's the latest forecast showing the #snow on Sunday. Jo pic.twitter.com/0UGzWflASn
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) March 15, 2018
A widespread severe frost is expected on Sunday night, with lowest temperatures of between 0 to -5C.
Temperatures could rise to 7C on Monday afternoon, but a return to -5C temperatures overnight is also expected.
Earlier: Motorists warned of spot flooding in several counties
Motorists are being advised to take extra care on the roads this morning, after flooding in parts of the country overnight.
Up to 50 millimetres of rain fell in areas of Leinster and east Munster.
Kilkenny is the worst affected - but there are also problems in Tipperary, Dublin, Cork, Wexford and Wicklow.
Several rivers have burst their banks and many bridges are unsafe.
A number of homes have been evacuated in parts of south Wicklow and Freshford in Co Kilkenny.
Kilkenny
Flooding is affecting the Johnstown/Kilkenny Rd (R693) at Freshford. Motorists are advised to avoid Freshford and take the N77 via Ballyragget instead.
Gardaí report that the Thomastown Rd (R699) out of Knocktopher near Moanroe Cross is impassible due to flooding.
North of Kilkenny City, Bleach Rd is impassable due to flooding.
The Callan/Goatsbridge Rd (R699) is flooded approx. 1km east of Callan. Take an alternative route.
The Thomastown/Inistioge Rd (R700) is passable with care at Brownsbarn Bridge. Exercise caution in the area.
Tipperary
There is flooding on the Faugheen/Carrick-on-Suir Rd (R697) at Cregg. Gardaí advise taking an alternative route.
Gardaí in Tipperary Town report heavy flooding on several routes in the area, including the Dundrum Rd (R661) and Galbally Rd (R662).
Cork
Park Rd in Mallow, part of the N72 route, is closed due to flooding. Use alternative routes.
The usual #flooding in #Mallow on the park road #cork #iestaff via @lensdan pic.twitter.com/SX7OPRdALR
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) March 15, 2018
Wexford
South of Enniscorthy, Edermine Bridge is closed due to flooding.
Wicklow
There is flooding in several locations on the Kilmacanogue/Roundwood Rd (R755), especially around Calary. Gardaí advise using an alternative route.
The Roundwood/Sally Gap Rd (R759) is impassable due to flooding.