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​Ireland will be colder than Moscow tonight as temperatures plunge to a bitter -8C.

The country will shiver into next week as an icy winter freeze tightens its grip and brings heavy snow.

We’ll have to struggle through conditions that are some 5C colder than the Russian city.

Temperatures there will be a slightly milder -3C in the coming days.

The forecast here is so bad that Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange alert for parts of the country.

(Image: Valerie O'Sullivan/ Fáilte Ireland)

The official warning reads: “Snow-ice warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath and Meath.

“Significant falls of snow are expected Saturday night and into Sunday.

“Accumulations of 4 to 8 cm could occur quite widely with greater totals possible. Drifting snow locally at times too with brisk winds.

“Slippery paths and treacherous roads also due to snow accumulation and ice.”

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow alert is currently in place for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.

Gusts of 110km/h are expected to batter those areas today.

A Met Eireann forecaster said: “Sunday will see further heavy rain and snow falls. Temperatures in the afternoon will struggle to rise above freezing in the north and will linger between 1C and 4C degrees for much of the country.

“On Sunday night temperatures will fall to as low as minus -8C, and possibly lower still, as skies clear over lying snow.

“The lowest temperatures will be in the north midlands.

“Further to the south, temperatures over Munster will be more typically between -2C and -3C.

(Image: Failte Ireland)

“Monday will be dry for most parts of the country with sunshine.

“Showers will affect the west and north coasts, and there’s a risk of isolated showers along eastern coasts for a time also.

“Showers will continue to have a wintry element with temperatures in the afternoon not expected to rise above plus 3C to 6C.

“Temperatures on Monday night once again down to as low as minus -4C but it will be a mostly dry and clear night. There will be moderate to fresh northerly winds.”​