Status red weather warnings have been issued for two more counties as the country continues to prepare for the arrival of Storm Eunice.
It comes as extremely strong winds are expected in some counties, while 'blizzard-like conditions' are being forecast in some other areas.
The highest level wind warning had already been issued for Cork and Kerry.
Clare has also now been added to that warning, amid warnings of dangerous winds between 3am and 8am tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, a separate status red wind warning has also been issued for Waterford and will be in effect from 7am to 11am on Friday.
Status Red - Wind warnings have been issued ⬇️
👉Cork, Kerry and Clare from 3am to 8am
👉Waterford from 7am to 11am#StormEunice will track quickly over Ireland tonight and Friday morning bringing severe and damaging winds.
ℹ️https://t.co/2RiNFa4Zi4… pic.twitter.com/KmQdFAxlJi— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 17, 2022
Clare and Waterford had not initially been listed among the counties where schools are set to close tomorrow.
However, the Department of Education had earlier advised that schools in all counties where status red wind warnings are in place should not open tomorrow.
They've since confirmed that schools in those two counties will close - meaning school closures in a total of nine counties.
That includes schools in Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon, where a status orange snow warning will be in effect for 12 hours from 3am.
Creches, universities, colleges and further education facilities in affected counties are also being advised to close.
The Department of Education says "remote teaching and learning should commence where possible, in line with schools’ remote teaching and learning plans".
In a statement, the Department said: "Met Éireann has advised that this is a multi-hazard event with wind and heavy snow. Storm Eunice will bring heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions in parts with treacherous driving conditions.
"The storm is expected to impact most during school commuting hours and this will make journeys to school extremely hazardous in the morning in those areas."
A status orange wind warning is in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway from 3am until 11am tomorrow - although schools in those counties are set to remain open.
A general status yellow wind, rain and snow warning for the entire country will be in effect from 1am until 3pm.
Evelyn Cusack from Met Éireann said the worst of the bad weather is expected to ease off rapidly - describing it as a "quick and very short-lived affair tomorrow morning".
She said it's expected to be a cold and windy weekend, but forecasters aren't expecting another named storm for now.
