Forecasters are calling it the ‘beast from the east’.

A Status Yellow Weather warning has been put in place for Tuesday morning, February 27th, with Met Eireann predicting temperatures as low as -10C in some parts of Ireland this week.

The weather warning will remain in place throughout the week until Saturday, March 3rd, and could be upgraded to a rare red warning as the week progresses.

The national forecaster says it will remain dry but very cold and frosty tonight, with lowest temperatures dropping to -3 C, but within 24 hours we can expect a major change.

The warning reads: “Exceptionally cold weather will occur this week. Air and ground temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal, with significant wind chill and penetrating severe frosts. Snow showers, mainly affecting eastern areas on Tuesday, will progressively become more widespread and heavier through midweek, with significant and disruptive accumulations.”

Met Eireann meteorologist Joanna Donnelly took to Twitter to urge the public to check in on elderly neighbours and look out for the homeless during the coming days:

Ok so y’all remember when I tweeted that picture of the reddest chart I’d ever seen in work? And everyone lost their minds? Well… #cold #snow #weather Watch out for those in need; #elderly #Homeless #AnimalWelfare pic.twitter.com/uYs6ET15m2

— Joanna Donnelly (@JoannaDonnellyL) February 25, 2018

She tweeted: “Ok so y’all remember when I tweeted that picture of the reddest chart I’d ever seen in work? And everyone lost their minds? Well..

“Watch out for those in need; #elderly #Homeless #AnimalWelfare.”

The Cork Safety Alerts Twitter account has been spreading the word on Leeside, with the Road Safety Authority urging motorists and commuters to check intended routes before leaving the house to ensure it is safe to travel.

‘The Beast from the East’ starting to show its face tonight with temperatures dropping as low as -2°C, with colder weather to come during the week. More info: https://t.co/o69txRpI8J pic.twitter.com/Bgdg5tGx4E

— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) February 25, 2018