Met Éireann has denied claims the forecaster wasn't ready for overnight snow.
Several areas woke up to a blanket of snow this morning, with warnings now being extended into Saturday
A Status Yellow Snow-Ice warning is in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow and Munster until 6pm today.
A Status Yellow Rain warning has been issued for Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow until 3am tomorrow.
The forecaster is warning of "persistent rain, with a mix of sleet and snow at times".
A Status Yellow ice warning has been issued for the entire country until 9am tomorrow.
Rain, sleet & snow across Connacht & much of Leinster will move southwards across the rest of the country this afternoon, turning increasingly to rain as it does so, except on higher ground🌧️❄️
Hail & isolated thunderstorms are possible too⤵️https://t.co/lvQFgW8DsS pic.twitter.com/c00j9NuRPn— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) March 1, 2024
Speaking to Newstalk, Met Éireann's Alan Hally denied claims the forecaster wasn't ready for snow.
"It was included on our forecast that went on our website yesterday," he said.
"We also had a warning out yesterday issued at 4pm that kind of mentions that transition.
"It was a rainfall warning with the potential to turn to sleet and snow because... it is a marginal situation and that's what we saw play out.
"It is already turning to rainfall outside of our headquarters here in Glasnevin, for example."
Snowfall in Virginia, Co Cavan, 1-3-24. Image: Killian Ginnity/NewstalkMr Hally said inland counties have been the hardest hit.
"From what we've seen so far it seems to be areas around Longford, Cavan, perhaps Monaghan and then parts of Kildare and west Dublin as well.
"Anywhere away from the coast was kind of spared.
"We got some reports across the county of Dublin from parts closer to the coast, they only got a few specs of light snow.
"But then further inland it seemed to be that bit heavier".
Disruption
Dublin Airport is operating as normal but with some delays. It is advising passengers to check directly with their airline for updates.
An Post said the snow is causing "major difficulties" for deliveries in some parts of the country.
It said Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan, Westmeath and areas served by delivery depots in Dublin 18, Glenageary and Blackrock, Co Dublin are most affected.
The company said it will make every effort to deliver letters and parcels as quickly as possible and arrange deliveries tomorrow in affected areas "where possible".
Bus Éireann has cancelled dozens of services due to the severe weather conditions.
Irish Rail has said there are "ongoing delays" to departures from Heuston Station.
There are also delays to services on the Luas Red Line.
Dublin Bus Route 44 is operating to and from Kilternan only and is not serving Enniskerry and Sandyford Village.
Unsettled weather with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers are set to continue into next week.
