It comes after a meeting with the Met Office which is expecting temperatures to fall to around freezing across the country later today.

A steady breeze until Thursday will also result in the wind-chill factor creating temperatures to feel substantially cooler than those recorded at weather stations.

The forecast is that cold but dry weather will remain until around Saturday, when the arrival of cloudy skies will force overnight temperatures closer to double figures.

People are asked to opt for several layers of clothing and to regularly consume hot drinks and soups.