FIVE counties have been put on status red after heavy snowfall in Ireland overnight.
Met Éireann has issued its highest weather warning for counties Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath after 5-10cms of snow fell.
Snow showers are expected to continue throughout trendy and again tonight, with accumulations of up to 25cms expected by Thursday.
Severe Weather Warning issued for Snow/Ice
Status: RED
Location: Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath
Valid: Wed 5am to Thurs 12pm
Warning updates will be issued in due course
Latest information here:https://t.co/X6NncUghZ9 pic.twitter.com/rWhZ3kTAu8— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2018
Status Orange warnings are also in place for Wexford, Cork and Waterford, where heavy snow showers are also expected. Accumulations of up to 8cms have been predicted.
Heavy snow shower in Dublin at the moment.
This shower will last for the next 30 minutes or so, with further heavy snow showers in the east and south through tonight. pic.twitter.com/CXSh3i9Af7— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 27, 2018
Ireland has been on high alert all week as it braced itself for Storm Emma.
The weather system originated in the Mediterranean and is making its way northwards towards the emerald isle.
With the extreme weather sure to bring transport chaos, widespread school closures and supermarket shortages.