The country's in the grip of a big freeze, with a status orange snow-ice warning coming into effect at 3pm this afternoon for many eastern counties.
Snowfall of up to 6 centimetres is expected in some areas.
The arrival of the so-called Beast from the East has led to panic buying, as people try to stock up on the basics.
Empty shelves all over the country 👀#BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/j8qvZPl7b1
— Today FM (@TodayFM) February 26, 2018
Some grocery store retailers have reported that sales were up around 40% yesterday, with even higher demand expected as the cold really sets in.
Supermarkets say they are stocking up on basic necessities - with bread, milk and convenience meals already proving popular, as well as batteries, heaters and other winter goods.
Image: RollingNews.ie
Not everyone was pleased with the flurry of activity in shops, with one man in Dublin saying: "I think they're crazy. It's just like coming up to Christmas Eve... you overbuy, and it's only going to last a few days."
It wasn't just necessities, however - with outdoor activity shops reporting hundreds of sleds & toboggans being sold.
The worst of the weather's not due until Thursday, when Storm Emma could bring blizzard conditions.
Here's how today is looking:
Scattered snow showers along the east coast today. Dry & sunny to the west for a time but becoming increasingly cloudy there & showers will extend further westwards later. Afternoon temperatures will range 3 to 6 degrees, w/ freshening north to northeast winds adding wind chill.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 27, 2018
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says people should listen to the weather warnings: "Where advice is issued to workplaces and travel, that will be clear and we'll be asking people not to make unnecessary journeys".
Met Éireann says we should know by tomorrow afternoon at the latest whether the weather alert will be upgraded to red.
The National Emergency Coordination Group, meanwhile, met again this morning to hear updates on how the preparations for the arrival of the Beast from the East are going.
Today’s meeting of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group is underway and @MetEireann are outlining the weather scenario. pic.twitter.com/8arsnbPTCa
— Dept of Housing (@HousingPress) February 27, 2018
Extra fuel payments will be available for elderly people and those in need to deal with the cold weather.
Charities and agencies working with the homeless say they're drawing on the experience gained during Storm Ophelia.
The government's increasing bed capacity to ensure everyone can get off the street. And drop-in centres are being kept open throughout the day.
In addition to the extra Extreme Cold Weather Accommodation in place, this week @Dublin_Simon have further increased capacity in Emergency Shelters to get people out of the bitter cold. This will run for the length of the bad weather spell.
— Simon Communities (@SimonCommunity) February 26, 2018
People are also being urged to check on the elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
Do you have Vulnerable family, friends or neighbours?
✔ Warm
✔ Plenty of fuel/credit for prepay
✔ Supply of food and water
✔ Supply of medications
✔ Smoke/CO alarm
✔ Mobile phone and charger
✔ Someone to rely on for helphttps://t.co/xcaScS9r3O #BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/I15gLzO12U— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) February 26, 2018
Be prepared for the storm with our checklist
