Temperatures to drop to -5C as National Emergency team meets to co-ordinate response

Temperatures are set to drop  to -5C in many parts of the country later today, with National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) due to meet at 10.30am on Sunday morning to plan for the days ahead. 

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange warning for low temperatures and ice from later today.

Status Yellow warnings for low temperatures, ice and freezing fog are in place until 12pm nationwide today. 

Met Éireann warned: "Pockets of freezing fog are expected, causing potentially hazardous travel conditions"

A Status Yellow snow warning for counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow is in place until midday today, with further wintry showers expected in parts this morning.

The Status Orange warning will be in place from 5pm on Sunday evening through to 12 noon on Monday, December 12. 

"A severe frost and further icy stretches will set in on Sunday night, accompanied by patches of freezing fog. Temperatures likely to fall below -5 degrees in many areas," Met Éireann forecast. 

Due to the worsening conditions, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group will meet on Sunday morning to discuss measures needed in the coming days. 

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and Keith Leonard, Chair of NECG will be among those attending this meeting. 

A number of sporting events have been cancelled including a blanket ban for adult and schoolboy/girl soccer games over the weekend. 

The racing schedule at Punchestown was also postponed. 

The 2022 currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Ladies Junior Club Football Championship Final between Naomh Abán (Cork) and Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) was also postponed, it was announced on Sunday morning.