The odds on a White Christmas in Ireland are shortening as snow threatens amid weather chaos.

Travel plans for thousands of holiday makers returning home for the festive break have already been hit by severe weather.

Snow fell in parts of the country on Sunday morning with Ireland’s weather service Met Eireann warning of more severe weather to come.

A Met Éireann spokesman told the Irish Times that Sunday will be cold and blustery with showers of hail or sleet and thunderstorms in the west and north of the country.

Some snow fell in parts of Meath and Dublin on Sunday morning but failed to stick.

A deep depression is expected to rush in from the North Atlantic powered by the jet stream bringing wet and windy weather to all parts on Monday.

The Met Eireann spokesman said there is a possibility of some storm damage and localised flooding along the North West coast.

Christmas Eve will see calmer conditions but polar winds will start to bring a noticeable drop in temperatures across Ireland.

Met Eireann say Christmas Day will be crisp and cold day with a frosty start and the possibility of a dusting of snow on higher ground.

Ireland’s electricity service is working to restore power to 7,000 homes along the East coast after Saturday’s severe weather.

High winds caused the cancellation of some ferry services between Ireland and Britain.

Police have called on motorists to exercise special care because of the high winds and the risk from debris blown onto roads.