BREAKING: Met Eireann warns of 'significant snowfall accumulations' in FIVE counties

Met Éireann is warning that 'significant snowfall accumulations' can be expected across five counties in Munster this Wednesday night as the first cold snap of the winter continues.

The forecaster has upgraded an earlier status yellow snow/ice warning for Munster and says heavy snowfall is now likely overnight and early on Thursday morning.

The status orange warning for Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, Clare and Waterford is due to come into effect from midnight tonight and will remain valid until midday on Thursday.

Local authority crews and emergency personnel have been placed on standby and Met Eireann says potential impacts include "very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption, disruption and delays to public transport, difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues".

Motorists in the five counties are being advised not to make any unnecessary journeys while the warning is in place and early-morning commuters are being urged to exercise caution.

It's unclear, at this stage, if schools will be impacted by the status orange warning.

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A separate status yellow Snow-Ice warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway is due to come into effect at 9pm this Wednesday.

That warning will remain valid until midday on Thursday.