Met Eireann have issued a snow and ice weather alert for across the country tonight.

The forecaster warns that icy patches are expected to develop overnight and early on Saturday in many parts of the country.

The weather alert is in place from midnight and is expected be lifted at noon.

Sleet and snow are expected in the north and northwest throughout the night, with several cms of snow on high ground and a lighter covering at some lower levels.

Wintry showers will spread south and east by morning.

A wind warning is also in effect for the west and north-west.

Winds of 60 to 65km/h and gusts of 100km.h are expected for costal parts of Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.

Meanwhile the cleanup following Storm Gertrude was underway today, with 10,000 properties without power first thing this morning. By this evening that number was down to 2,000, with the ESB working to restore power throughout the day. Most of the damage was done in the north and northwest of the country.