Met Éireann yesterday issued a severe weather warning, predicting scattered snow showers and strong winds across Ireland late last night and early today.
AA Roadwatch advised motorists to be particularly careful on the roads today due to the expected rain, sleet and snow.
In a gale warning, Met Éireann warned of overnight west to north-west gales, occasionally reaching storm force, on all coasts of Ireland and on the Irish Sea.
While the eye of the storm was expected to pass over Ireland early this morning, strong westerly winds and snow showers were forecast to continue until at least this afternoon.
Met Éireann said the overnight winds were due to reach average speeds of 30-45 m.p.h. (50-70 km/h), gusting to 60-70 m.p.h. (95-110 km/h) or more.
Scattered snow showers were also expected to occur last night and early today, with accumulations of 5-10 cm predicted in Connacht and Ulster.
In addition, sea swells of more than 10 metres were forecast along Atlantic coasts, raising the threat of coastal flooding.
While wind-speeds are due to die down today, it will remain cold and blustery, with further wintry showers forecast tonight.
West to north-west winds will gust to 50-70 m.p.h. (80-110 km/h) up to this evening and snow showers will persist for a time in the north, according to Met Éireann. However, it said, the snow showers would become isolated as the day progressed, turning mainly to rain.
Highest temperatures of 2-6 degrees are expected today.
Tomorrow and Thursday are due to be milder but still windy, with average temperatures of 7-9 degrees.
It is expected to become cold again on Friday, with a sharp frost setting in on Friday evening.
AA Roadwatch said road conditions were treacherous in some parts of the north and west last night, and it advised motorists to reduce speeds and drive with care on all routes.
The weather warning comes six days after a storm caused widespread damage in Connacht and Ulster amid winds of in excess of 90 m.p.h. (140 km/h).
The winds last week blew a truck off the Foyle Bridge in Derry, killing the driver, and knocked out electrical supplies to more than 30,000 homes in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
