Met Eireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for heavy rainfall, which will remain in place until 7am tomorrow morning.

Counties Dublin, Louth and Wicklow are set to be worst affected; between 30 and 50mm of rain is expected to fall in parts of the country.

The warning was issued at 7am this morning, with the largest amounts of rain forecast on higher ground.

Meanwhile, parts of the country have been affected by snow overnight.

A status yellow weather warning for snow and ice was in place last night, as temperatures dropped below freezing.

Between 2 and 3cm of snow was likely to fall in some areas last night, with larger amounts expected on higher ground, according to Met Eireann.

Rain or sleet was more likely overnight along coastal areas due to onshore breezes, it added.

People got a shock this morning as they woke up to see a good cover of snow on the ground; this picture (below) was taken in Co. Tipperary.

Snap snow 1

The Premier county seemed to be worst effected this morning, as this farmer in Cashel took to Twitter to share this picture (below).

A little bit of snow wasn’t going to get in the way of his morning’s work.

snow

Gardai also took to Twitter this morning to warn motorists to take care on the roads this morning, following some heavy snowfalls.

They encouraged motorists to take time to plan their journey and to make sure their car is ‘road-ready’ before setting off.

snap snow windscreen

A sheep and suckler farmer took to Twitter this morning to share this snap (below) of these new-born lambs braving the cold conditions. The snow make it a little more difficult to find all of the lambs this morning; the animals were keeping close to the hedges – for some cover from the elements.

snap snow 3 sheep

The show must go on, regardless of hail, sleet or snow.

This dairy farmer in Durrow, Co. Laois sent us this snap as he brought in the cows for milking this morning.

snow

Meanwhile, some farmers put up some very cheeky pictures this morning on social media.

The Irish weather can throw up a few surprises at any moment; most farmers were hoping for sunshine and warmth rather than snow.

Snap snow 4 back window

Meanwhile, this farmer believes mother nature was just a little late in providing a white Christmas.

snap snow yard