We're in for a deep freeze tonight with temperatures forecast to plummet below zero.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange Low Temperature warning for Donegal.

Temperatures are expected to fall between -4 and -6 tonight with “severe air and ground frost” returning. Winds will be mostly light, in an east to southeasterly direction.

The weather warning comes into effect at 9pm tonight and will be lifted at 10am tomorrow.

Munster, inland areas of Leinster, Connacht, Monaghan, and Cavan are also set to be struck by low temperatures.

Yesterday Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow weather warning, however they have upgraded it to Status Orange this afternoon.

A Status Orange weather warning implies that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions, and that the weather may have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas.

It will be slightly warmer tomorrow with frost clearing and highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.

Donegal County Council has warned motorists to exercise caution and to be mindful of black ice. Council gritters began gritting at 6am this morning.

To see which routes are being gritted this evening, you can visit Donegal County Council’s interactive map by clicking here.