BREAKING NEWS: SEVERE WEATHER WARNING AS ATLANTIC STORM THREATENS BLIZZARDS

1 am UPDATE DECEMBER 26TH: THERE IS A severe weather warning in place for this St Stephen’s Day as a weather system bringing a thaw dumps more snow and ice first.

The heavy rain coming in from the Atlantic is expected to turn to wintry showers as it meets colder air over Donegal.

And tonight Met Eireann, the Road Safety Authority and Gardai warned Donegal could be hit by blizzards this afternoon – heaping further misery on the county before the expected thaw.

Road conditions over the next 24 hours could be amongst the worst brought by the Big Chill.

Gardai are appealing for motorists to exercise extreme caution across the county tonight and tomorrow and to only travel this afternoon if absolutely necessary.