WEATHER: Temps to plummet in next 24 hours

Temperatures are set to plummet in Kildare within the next 24 hours ahead of one of the coldest weeks in three decades.

A Status Orange warning - the second highest level - has been issued for the east of the country with daytime temperatures forecast to dip to 0C.

In the UK, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures are already causing travel disruption this morning, with police forces reporting treacherous driving conditions and blocked routes.

Highways England said the M20 in Kent had become blocked by a "number" of stranded lorries overnight, while the A249 was shut due to a crash.

Snow showers are expected today along with a widespread frost and icy conditions in Kildare, Dublin, Carlow,  Laois, Louth, Wicklow and Meath.

The Orange alert comes into force from 3pm today until 11am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow snow and ice warning comes into effect from 6pm until 11am tomorrow for Kilkenny, Longford, Wexford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford with accumulations of up to 3cm in some areas likely.

Met Éireann says air and ground temperatures will be 5-10 degrees below normal this week and heavy snow is expected on Thursday.