ALERT: Met Éireann warns of 'significant snowfall accumulations' Limerick this weekend

MET ÉIREANN is warning of "significant snowfall accumulations" in several counties this weekend, including in Limerick and Clare.

With the current cold snap set to continue for several days, the national forecaster has issued a status orange snow/ice warning for Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wicklow.

Significant snowfall accumulations are expected on Saturday evening and Sunday and potential impacts, in Limerick and elsewhere, include very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption.

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Met Éireann says delays to public transport are likely and that underfoot conditions will be difficult in most places where there is heavy snowfall.

Animal welfare issues are also likely.

As of now, the warning, which was issued this Friday morning, is valid from 5pm on Saturday until 5pm on Sunday.

Stakeholders, including Limerick City and County Council have been briefed on the current weather system and crews have been placed on standby.

A separate status yellow snow/ice warning has been issued for the rest of the country for this weekend while a status yellow rain and snow warning will come into effect in Cork and Kerry at 1pm on Saturday.

Met Éireann says further updates and warnings are likely over the coming days with temperatures set to drop as low as -10 degrees next Tuesday.