Parts of Offaly waking up to blanket of snow as more snow forecast for today

Parts of Offaly are waking up to a blanket of snow this morning as more snow is forecast for today making driving conditions difficult in places.

Offaly is one eight counties covered by a Status Orange Snow-Ice warning until 5pm today. The warning is for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary. 

Met Eireann is warning that significant snowfall accumulations expected bringing very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus), difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues. 

According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for today, it will be cold and blustery today with outbreaks of sleet and snow, along with heavy rain in southern coastal areas. Significant accumulations of snow will occur, mainly in parts of Munster and south Leinster leading to hazardous travelling conditions. There is a chance of localised flooding in the south. The northwest will turn drier through the day. Highest temperatures of just 0 to 4 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds.

LIVE SNOW TRACKER: When and where is it forecast to snow in Ireland in the coming days?

LIVE SNOW TRACKER: When and where is it forecast to snow in Ireland in the coming days?

A series of other Weather Warnings are in place for today.

There is a Status Orange Rain and Snow warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford until 5pm today.

There is also a Status Yellow - Snow-Ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Connacht until 5pm today.

There is a Status Yellow Rain and Snow warning for Wexford until 5pm and a Status Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland until noon on Monday.