Spring is on hold with snow and wintry showers expected to sweep across Ireland on Wednesday .

Met Éireann has issued a yellow “be aware” alert for snow and ice. The warning is in place until 11am and it is a chilly morning with frost and fog.

Forecasters warn there will be a “few centimetres” of snow build-up on lower levels but particularly on higher ground.

It will be a cold and sunny day with wintry showers slowly clearing eastwards later in the day to leave icy patches in the clearance.

On Wednesday night the temperatures will drop as low as minus 3 degrees, which will cause frost, icy patches and also some freezing fog.

The cold snap will continue on Thursday with hail and rain showers hitting western areas.

Highest temperatures will reach 5 to 7 degrees but the night will be cold and frosty with icy patches.

Friday is set to be a slightly warmer and blustery day with outbreaks of rain.

Overall, the outlook for the weather in the coming days will be unsettled