Ireland weather: Status Orange warning as temperatures drop to -5.7C and Met Éireann forecasters warn freezing spell ‘isn’t going anywhere’

Motorists are being warned of “treacherous road conditions” today after temperatures dropped well below freezing overnight, leading to widespread black ice.

Met Éireann said “severe frost”, which accompanied lying snow and temperatures between -3C to -8C, created both ice and black ice.

It comes as three separate Status Orange alerts for low temperatures and ice have been issued for most counties.

The first is in place until 10am this morning and applies to counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, and Monaghan, as well as all of Munster and Connacht.

A second Status Orange warning kicks in at 8pm this evening and lasts until 11am tomorrow. This warning includes Leinster, Munster and Connacht, as well as Cavan and Monaghan.

The third alert – which applies to all counties except for Donegal – will be in effect from 6pm this evening and expires at 11am tomorrow.

The adverse weather has taken a hold in several ways and will…