Laois is one of seven counties to have been hit with a rainfall warning for today as heavy rain is expected to turn to sleet and snow.
Met Eireann has issued the Status Yellow caution, and warned that persistent rain may result in some flooding.
The weather alert will be in place for Laois, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Offaly and Tipperary.
The warning will be valid between 2pm on Wednesday and 2am on Thursday.
A Met Eireann statement said: “A spell of heavy rain is likely to lead to some spot flooding and will turn to sleet and snow in places later today.”
A Met Eireann forecaster said: “Mainly dry in the east at first today with a few bright spells.
“Showers in the west will merge to a more persistent spell of heavy rain this morning, with a risk of hail and thunder, with the rain spreading to most areas later today.
“Top temperatures 4 to 8 degrees. Some of the rain will turn to sleet and snow in Munster and Leinster, mainly later this afternoon and evening.
“Outbreaks of rain, sleet and hill snow will gradually clear southwards tonight, and cold clear spells will develop, with frost and the risk of icy patches developing before dawn.
“Lowest temperatures of 0 to plus 2 degrees. Light to moderate northerly winds developing over land will be fresh to strong and gusty near coasts.”
