EXTREMELY CHALLENGING weather conditions can be expected today as tens of thousands of motorists travel to their Christmas destinations.
Motorists have been advised to change to public transport or to carpool and drive only in daylight.
Subzero temperatures are set to contribute to poor driving conditions with icy roads, severe frost and freezing fog expected.
In rural areas and on untreated suburban roads conditions are expected to be complicated by compacted snow.
Warnings to take extra care have been issued by the Garda, Met Éireann, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority and the AA.
The AA said freezing temperatures would continue to grip the northwest, making driving conditions there very hazardous.
In the east of the country inches of snow are likely to lie on the ground for several more days making driving in housing estates and on back roads extremely dangerous.
In counties Laois and Kildare very icy stretches have been reported around Athy and on the M7, particularly in the Naas area.
The M4 was yesterday very icy from Celbridge to Lucan and great care was required by motorists crossing the Liffey Bridge in Celbridge. Similar conditions are expected today.
Wicklow County Council said it was treating most of the regional as well as national roads. However, motorists should avoid upland areas where possible, particularly the Wicklow Gap and Sally Gap. Fresh snowfall in Blessington yesterday added to already treacherous conditions on the N81 Baltinglass to Tallaght road.
In Co Wexford roads are treacherous on the Gorey to Wexford road via Ballycanew. Conditions are also hazardous in Kilmuckridge and Blackwater.
It is expected to be very icy on the M2 approaching Ashbourne this morning with restrictions on the N2 as far as Collon. Conditions are still bad around Navan, Kells and Slane as well as Dundalk and Drogheda.
Delays can be expected in Tuam from the Galway side on the N17 and it is expected to be particularly icy in Clifden, on the Maam Valley road and around Recess. Compacted snow and ice have made conditions difficult in Westport, Castlebar and Ballina and on the N4 at Carrick-on-Shannon where freezing fog is likely. Very poor conditions have been reported on the N16 between Sligo and Manorhamilton.
In Donegal conditions are treacherous around Glenties while Barnesmore Gap should be avoided. Icy conditions are prevalent around Ballybofey on the N13 Letterkenny road, and the N15 to Donegal. Conditions are icy around Monaghan town and Carrickmacross.
There are hazardous conditions around Tramore, Co Waterford.
In west Cork there are very icy conditions in Skibbereen and Bantry where Bearna Gaoithe road is impassable.
In Kerry it is icy around Kenmare, Listowel, Tralee and Killarney. Conor Pass and Molls Gap are closed. Care is advised on the N70 Tralee-Castlemaine road and on the Castlemaine-Farranfore road.
In Limerick icy conditions are present on secondary routes in particular around Newcastle West and on the Drumcollogher road.
Updates on conditions across the country are on aaroadwatch.ie.
Conditions on motorways and national roads are on the National Roads Authority website at nratraffic.ie.
