Irish weather: Snow and ice cause 'treacherous' conditions with flights cancelled and temperatures to plunge to -2C

Snow and ice is causing treacherous conditions on the road today as freezing weather grips parts of Ireland.

Several crashes were reported as a chilly blast covers parts of the country in snow, following a cold night.

AA Roadwatch posted on Twitter:" Icy road conditions in many parts this morning, especially in the west and north.

"A Status Yellow Snow/Ice Warning remains in place country-wide until midday."

"It's particularly icy in parts of Roscommon and Mayo including around Claremorris and Castlerea."

Collisions were reported in Dublin, Kerry, Clare and Galway.

A Student makes his way through slush in Tuam, County Galway. (Ray Ryan)

Students have a snowball fight in Tuam, County Galway. (Ray Ryan)

The Met Office issued Yellow warnings overnight that extended into Tuesday (Met Office)

Further snow showers are set to hit the country as a Status Yellow snow-ice warning remains in place nationwide.

The Met Eireann alert came into effect at 10pm last night and will last until 12 noon on Tuesday.

It reads: "Hazardous conditions in places overnight and Tuesday morning due to compacted snow and ice.

"Further snow showers also, heaviest in the southwest, west and north."

Temperatures plunged to freezing point in parts of Cork and Carlow this morning, while temperatures of just 1C were recorded at Mount Dillon weather station in Roscommon.

A forecaster said: "A cold and frosty start this morning with icy stretches on untreated surfaces and lying snow in places.

Oisin Carson, aged 5, picks a Christmas tree at Wicklow Way Christmas tree farm in Roundwood, Co Wicklow (PA)

"Today there will be a mix of sunshine and scattered wintry showers, the showers frequent over the western half of the country with a risk of hail and thunder there.

"Highest temperatures of 4C to 7C in fresh and gusty westerly winds, strong along Atlantic coasts."

Meanwhile, tonight will see temperatures drop to lows of freezing point to 2C in the eastern half of the country early in the night with some frost patches but temperatures increasing to between 2C to 5C by morning countrywide.

Gorcia form Moldova pictured in the snow on the Dublin mountains (Collins)

Flights at Ireland West Airport in Co Mayo were delayed by snowfall on Monday after ground crew struggled to keep the runway clear.

A spokesman said: "The current situation at the airport as heavy snow has impacted our flight schedule this afternoon.

"Our operations team are working to clear the runway but current conditions and continued heavy snowfall are challenging."

Two flights from England had to be diverted to Dublin Airport as a result, and there were significant delays to departing flights.