The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for snow and hail with temperatures to reach -3°C.

It is set to kick in at 3pm today and expires at 3pm tomorrow (Thursday, January 18).

Central and Southern areas of the island will be the most impacted.

There is a chance of snowfall this evening and will continue overnight before tending to clear by tomorrow morning (Thursday).

This may locally lead to 1-3cm of accumulation for low-levels and a risk of 2-5cm for higher ground especially if showers affect the same area repeatedly, the Met Office says.

The Met Office adds: 'Ice will be an additional hazard on untreated surfaces with temperatures remaining sub-zero throughout for areas above around 1000 foot.

'From 5pm ice also forming in low-level areas sheltered from the light to moderate North or North West wind especially in places that are damp/wet or become snow covered.

'Minimum air temperatures falling to -3°C in some areas.'