WATCH: Temperatures plunge in Limerick as thick fall of snow covers region

LIMERICK has woken up to a thick blanket of snow this Wednesday morning, with motorists being urged to take care on the roads as a result.

There was a heavy fall of snow overnight which has accumulated on the ground and is causing some disruption across the county. It is snowing quite heavily again this Wednesday morning.

Lovely, soft and silent snowfall in West Limerick this morning at around 7am #BeastFromTheEast @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/8R7lXyHOLs

— Maria Flannery (@mariaflan) February 28, 2018

A national status yellow weather advisory is in place for the whole country while a level red alert was issued this morning for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath, but not as yet for Limerick.

According to the latest forcecast on Accuweather, there will be 4.1cm on snow in Limerick during the day on Thursday. There will be a further 11.8cm in the evening (from 4pm onwards) and overnight.

"Windy and cold with snow at times, accumulating an additional 10-15 cm; near blizzard conditions".

It says it the temperature could feel as low as -16 given the wind chill.

Several public events which had been due to take place in Limerick in the coming days have been cancelled with Met Éireann predicting the worst of the weather on Thursday and Friday.

Several grocery and convenience stores said they had sold out of bread and other provisions as people were preparing for the worst.

Heavy overnight snowfall has led to accumulations of snow between 5 and 10cm around the country, gardai said. Snow showers will continue to occur during today and again tonight with further accumulations. Total snowfall up to midday Thursday may reach 25cm in some areas.

Gardai are advising motorists and all road users to use caution on roads.

Don't forget to clear snow from front & rear windows and from roof of your vehicle if you have to travel today. #BeastFromTheEast

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) February 28, 2018

#LIMERICK Limerick Tunnel has reopened northbound. More at: https://t.co/ph2NZWpOif

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) February 28, 2018

"Leave sufficient room between you and the car in front and drive within a speed where you can stop in time," said a spokesperson.

Irish Rail has said all services are currently operating on all routes except Cobh to Cork due to a points issue. There are bus transfers between Limerick and Ennis due to a separate local flooding issue.

Thank you @IrishRail for being so positive and professional, made me smile first thing. Beautiful morning on the way to Dublin from Limerick pic.twitter.com/9QDl8L1aWV

— Mou Sultana (@Mou_Sultana) February 28, 2018

It's here #BeastFromTheEast #StormEmma pic.twitter.com/cFjBiapNfD

— David Hurley (@DHurleyLL) February 28, 2018

No running today on health & safety grounds #limerick is awakening to ⛄️ pic.twitter.com/Se2zi4eDil

— Joe Leddin (@JLeddin) February 28, 2018

#BeastFromTheEast in the #midwest #limerick pic.twitter.com/EK5uZWuBms

— Conor Power (@conpower) February 28, 2018

A cold start in Limerick ⛄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/Kk6c5AUakz

— Jean Reale (@Jean_Reale) February 28, 2018

Different kind of commute today #BeastFromTheEast #StormEmma @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/1lzhxCziYd

— David Hurley (@DHurleyLL) February 28, 2018

Lovely morning in the city centre? pic.twitter.com/iqL3NilqbM

— Jonny (@jonnysheehan1) February 28, 2018

“Snow is falling, all around us, children playing, having fun” @AdareVillage @adaretidytowns @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/FqBrBMvRt9

— Our Lady's Abbey (@OurLadysAbbey) February 28, 2018