Road users are being urged to take extreme care this morning.

Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for parts of the country, advising people of extreme conditions, including sleet, snow and heavy rainfall.

Conditions will ease as the day goes on but motorists are being reminded that surface water may still be an issue on the roads.

“Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rainfall warning for many areas of the country and this warning is valid until midday today,” said Lisa O Donnell from AA roadwatch.

“We would advise motorists to reduce their speed while driving, make sure to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and also not to drive through water unless they are sure it is not too deep for their car.”

The status yellow rain warning is in place until noon for Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, with heavy rain expected.

They predict around 30mm to 40mm of rainfall, with greater totals on some higher ground.

They also say it will turn to wet snow in parts temporarily.

Met Eireann forecaster Siobhan Ryan said: “I mean March, as the cliché says, comes in like a lion, so we’re actually due a bit of wintry weather.

“It just so happens that it is coinciding with the early days of our spring-time.”