TEMPERATURES hit a freezing point of -4C overnight, with “hard frost and plenty of ice” to continue into today.

Extremely low temperatures and dangerous icy conditions are set to grip Ireland for the rest of this week, with a warning of another cold day ahead.

There is also set to be a “significant risk of rain and sleet turning to snow” later today.

Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly shared the latest snippet of this week’s outcome on X.

Alan said: “Down to -4c this morning with a hard frost and plenty of ice. Some showers continue in Northern areas. A cold day ahead with a significant risk of rain and sleet turning to snow in Southern areas later.”

A status yellow low temperature and ice warning remains in place for Ireland until 10am, with it returning at 8pm until 10am tomorrow.

Tomorrow will also see a snow and ice warning for Munster in place from 4am until 12pm.

A cold day is on the horizon today with “frost and icy stretches on untreated surfaces this morning.”

Met Eireann said this ice, including black ice, will linger in some areas throughout the day with sunshine peaking through.

Scattered showers of sleet and snow will continue in the north and northwest.

Clouds will appear in the afternoon, bringing heavy rain for the west and southwest as many are being warned of this turning to to hail, sleet and snow at times as it moves inland.

Temperatures low again today with highs of just 3C to 6C.

Tonight is looking to see snow and sleet remain inland, but possibly hit coastal areas alongside widespread rain in the south.

The forecaster said: “Further north it will be mostly dry with scattered wintry showers continuing in Ulster and north Connacht.

“Very cold with lowest temperatures of -4C to 0C.”

TOMORROW

Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will begin to clear in the morning making way for a colder day to hit.

Showers of rain, sleet and snow will be most frequent across Connacht, Ulster and west Munster.

Met Eireann said: “Some icy stretches will linger through the day with temperatures reaching just 1C to 4C.

“A cold night with widespread frost and icy stretches developing.

“Mostly dry with clear spells, though scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow will feed into Ulster, Connacht and Munster.

“Lowest temperatures of -4C to +1C.”

THIS WEEKEND

Dry and sunny spells will begin to emerge on Friday as temperatures start getting slightly warmer.

A few wintry showers will it the northern and Atlantic coasts with temperatures of 3C to 7C.

Overnight it will become wet and windy with heavy rain spreading across the country.

This will be accompanied by strong to near gale force and gusty southeasterly winds with possible falls of sleet.

Weather chiefs are warning of possible localised flooding as temperatures drop between 0C to 5C.

As of Saturday, bosses said: “A wet and windy day with widespread and heavy rain, leading to localised flooding.

“Strong and gusty southerly winds.

“Milder with highest temperatures of 12C to 15C.”

Sunday will be another milder day in terms of temperature with highs of 9C to 12C, but strong winds and heavy showers are to dominate.

Wind and rain will begin to ease off in the early days of next week with drier conditions settling in.

The Islanders finally took the first big step toward getting whole again Tuesday as Alexander Romanov returned from an upper-body injury.

Emma Mackey has landed a leading role in 'Star Wars' director J.J. Abrams' next flick.

A new documentary will explore the "highs and lows" of iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac.

'Deadpool and Wolverine' director Shawn Levy has revealed actress Blake Lively helped change the film's ending by giving some feedback which convinced him to order a major reshoot.

Post Malone is heading out on a massive US stadium tour next year with the dates kicking off in April and wrapping in July.

Australia’s biggest musicians have revealed which songs and artists they’ve had on repeat as the industry celebrates the 2024 ARIA Awards.

ZHAO XINTONG is one win away from reaching the UK Championship last 32 – two months after his corruption ban ended.

The amateur cueist, 27, eliminated Noppon Saengkham from Thailand 6-2 in the third round of qualifying in Leicester, hitting a high break of 127 in frame five.

Getty

Zhao Xintong is one win away from reaching the UK Championship last 32[/caption]

Should he beat Englishman and World No.38 World Ricky Walden on Thursday in the final round of qualifiers, Xintong will face a seed in round five as the tournament is shown live on the BBC.

Xintong – the 2021 UK Champion – was one of ten Chinese players charged and banned for breaching match-fixing rules in June 2023.

He was given a 20-month suspension, which ended in September, though he did NOT fix a match himself.

Shaun Murphy – a former world snooker champion – said: “It has to be said that Zhao Xintong was at the very lower end of those bans.

“He was never accused of cheating. He was never accused of fixing any matches.

“He did know about it and of course that’s against the rules – he did not report it.

“Zhao Xintong is bloody good. He made 147s in back-to-back events and then opened his first qualifying match this week with a 146.

“It might be fair to say he’s done nothing in these 18 months but practice. He looks very, very sharp to me.

“There’s been quite a lot of fanfare around him, around his return, which I’ve not been 100 per cent sure about.

“But he was caught, he took his punishment on the chin, he admitted it straightaway, he paid all his fines, and since then has done everything right.

“There’s an element of rehabilitation, he’s done the crime and served his time and he’s back.”

Steve Davis also gave his verdict over his comeback.

He told SunSport: “It’s a bit like when people get accused of being a drug cheat.

“And all they have done is take social drugs. They weren’t trying to cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs.

“Zhao Xintong only got 20 months. He was not involved in deliberate match-fixing. What happened was he was one of the players who was aware of it and had a bet.

“Judging that there are different tariffs, I think there’s a different perspective to be had on that.

“I’d say that everybody is allowed a second chance. In Zhao Xintong’s perspective, he has had a slap on the wrist and let’s see how he performs after that.

“I don’t have a problem with Stephen Lee coming back in the game. He was totally stupid with what he was doing. As is anyone that breaks the rules. But there are slightly different standards.

“The problem is, it’s a cloud that is hanging over him. Because it’s going to be called ‘match-fixing’. He has to deal with that.

“Whether he can pick up the pieces is down to him. Hopefully he does. It would be sad if it didn’t happen for him.”

Follow the final stages of the UK Snooker Championship across BBC TV, radio and online from Saturday November 23

WARM up your winter with a kinky Advent calendar, packed with saucy treats that go far beyond chocolate. 

This year’s standout calendar is Ann Summers’ 12 Nights of Wonder, currently on sale for £120 — reduced from £150. 

Olivia West

Ann Summers’ Advent calendar contains 12 products designed to heat things up this winter[/caption]

12 Nights of Wonder Advent Calendar, £150 £120 from Ann Summers

Inside, you’ll find a mix of sex toys, intimate aids and kinky accessories to get you through the cold spell.

The luxurious limited edition calendar is packed with an array of tantalising treats to elevate your bedroom game — including a best-selling Curved Rabbit Vibrator (worth £70 alone!). 

Whether you’re single or coupled, these naughty surprises will have you oh-oh-ohing to Christmas.

Here, Sun Sexpert Georgette Culley gives her verdict on Ann Summers’ newest kinky Advent calendar. 

Olivia West

The Sun’s Sexpert Georgie Culley got into the festive spirit and tested out the Ann Summers Advent Calendar[/caption]

Pros

• Good value
• Great choice of sex toys
• Ideal for solo play and beginners

Cons

• No lingerie
• A few samey products
• No handcuffs
• A bit limited for couples, or those after more kinky play

Rating: 4/5

Ann Summers Advent Calendar review: how I tested

Olivia West

Georgie personally sampled each item in the calendar[/caption]

12 Nights of Wonder Advent Calendar, £150 £120 from Ann Summers

As The Sun’s resident Sexpert, I take my job very seriously — especially when it comes to testing this year’s kinky Christmas Advent calendars. 

With so many adult brands bringing out similar products, it can be hard to know which ones truly hit the spot. 

So, here I am, doing the hard (ahem) work, personally sampling each one.

Don’t worry, I’ll be thorough, trying them out both solo and with a little help from my very lucky partner.

Ann Summers Advent Calendar review: quick summary

Olivia West

This calendar is chock-full of luxurious sex aids[/caption]

12 Nights of Wonder Advent Calendar, £150 £120 from Ann Summers

The calendar is not just a collection of pleasure products, it’s a curation of the finest offerings from renowned adult brand Ann Summers. 

Hidden behind the inviting purple-coloured doors are luxurious sex aids guaranteed to get your heart racing. 

I loved the aphrodisiac perfumes in the Ann Summers calendar — they unleashed my inner femme fatale and had my partner seduced in less than 60 seconds. 

The blindfold adds a sensual, luxurious touch, perfect for heightening anticipation and excitement.

The orgasm gel complements it beautifully, enhancing sensations and helping set the mood for an unforgettable experience.

With diverse toys targeting both the G-spot and clitoris, it’s perfect for solo exploration or spicing things up with a partner.

Ann Summers Advent Calendar review: full review

First impressions

Olivia West

While it’s not very festive, we like the enchanting purple-and-pink design[/caption]

Ann Summers is a trusted brand that has stood the test of time, so you can feel confident about the quality of the products inside.

The calendar is packed with an array of vibrators and comes with batteries, allowing you to dive straight into the fun without any delays.

The purple-and-pink design featuring a magical horse makes the calendar feel enchanting, channelling your inner goddess.

And while Ann Summers isn’t a luxury brand, the product has a premium feel — lightweight, thoughtfully designed, and appealing.

Plus, the discreet outer packaging is a brilliant touch, sparing any embarrassment for both you and your postman!

Performance

Olivia West

The calendar is laser-focused on sex toys, but lacks some essentials[/caption]

12 Nights of Wonder Advent Calendar, £150 £120 from Ann Summers

The Ann Summers Advent Calendar offers a great introduction to sensual self-care and exploration.

The products feel luxurious and come with batteries for immediate use, though they’re not rechargeable, which might disappoint some Greta Thunberg types.

It’s heavily focused on sex toys but lacks essentials like a toy cleaner. 

While it includes couple-friendly items like saucy sex tip cards and a purple mask, it’s better suited for solo play overall. 

Those seeking more intense BDSM experiences might be better suited by alternatives like She Spot’s, which includes a sparkling butt plug and cuffs for more kinky play.

Bondara also has a more hardcore range. 

That said, this calendar is great for self-exploration and the vibrators really hit the spot, as it were. 

With £205 worth of products available for just £150, the Ann Summers Advent calendar offers exceptional value for an intimate nightly journey.

Even better, there’s a 20% discount live until tomorrow, bringing the price down to just £120.

Where to buy the Ann Summers Advent Calendar?

The most obvious place to buy the 12 Nights of Wonder Calendar is the Ann Summers website.

However, it’s also available at retailers including Boots and Beauty Bay.

Alternatives

For those exploring kinky Advent calendars, Bondara and She Spot offer alternatives to Ann Summers’ range:

• Bondara 12-Day Sugar and Spice Calendar: Priced at £59.99 (down from £130), it provides great value but lacks the luxury feel of Ann Summers. Its toys appear more budget-friendly, and it doesn’t have that wow factor. 
• She Spot 12-Day Luxury Calendar: At £95, this calendar includes high-end items like Agent Provocateur knickers and a crystal butt plug. With contents worth £350, it’s perfect for indulgence and feels like true luxury.

Ann Summers Advent Calendar review: the verdict

Olivia West

Overall, while it’s a bit vanilla, Georgie enjoyed trying out the contents of the Advent calendar[/caption]

12 Nights of Wonder Advent Calendar, £150 £120 from Ann Summers

This advent calendar is perfect for self-love enthusiasts and those exploring a variety of vibrators for the first time.

While a few items cater to couples and can enhance shared intimacy, the focus remains on solo exploration. 

I really enjoyed locking myself away for a day and trying all the sex toys out — the curved rabbit really hit the spot. 

Given Ann Summers’ reputation for stylish lingerie, it would have been nice to find some naughty knickers or cheeky festive items like Christmas pudding nipple pasties behind one of the windows to diversify the contents a bit.

Instead, it’s a vanilla selection, ideal for beginners but less suited for those seeking more daring or kink-specific products.

However, it’s perfect for anyone looking to explore sensuality in a playful and approachable way.

GARETH Ellis can already see the steps forward Hull FC have to take being made – after understanding why they flopped badly.

New coach John Cartwright may feel like he is as much of a builder as he tries to piece together the wreckage of 2024.

SWPIX.COM

The Australian has made changes after finding things off the field were impacting performance on it – even something as simple as having breakfast together.

And rugby league legend Ellis, part of the backroom staff at FC, believes they are already having a desired effect.

He said: “The changes have made a big difference to coming in every day not being sure where the club’s going and things not being what you’d expect of a Super League club.

“I could see why the players didn’t have that same drive.

“When I was at Wakefield, we knew we were a survival club. We accepted that and got on with it, whereas Hull FC has always had that ambition.

“Now with that investment and the staffing in place, allowing people to just do their job, it can hopefully take the club forward.

“It’s no secret that we were probably surviving as a club for a couple of years, that reflected in performances on the field.

“That bit of investment gives a bit of hope there’s something for the future. That’s probably down the line but for how, we’ve just got to keep building.

“But it just gives you hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Cartwright said of the changes: “We’ve made a big effort to get the building blocks back to a professional level. It goes right across the club, not just on that gameday.

“Players get checked by the physios first thing, we have breakfast together, they go to training together, get physio checks again, they have lunch together. I’m not sure those things were happening last season.”

SWPIX.COM

Ellis, whose playing career saw him become an NRL superstar at Wests Tigers, showed he still has it in Sunday’s hybrid 745 Game, which saw rugby league legends take on famous faces from union to honour Ed Slater, Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir and raise funds for motor neurone disease charities.

On Monday, he was back at the day job but is thought to have already said he would do it again next year.

The 43-year-old, who looks like he could still do a job in Super League, added: “It was like a little camp. It was fantastic.

“When Wigan played Bath in 1996, there was a bit of needle, whereas in this, there was so much respect.

“It would be nice to think it could happen every year, even though my knees were swelling up when I walked off. 10,000 people came to watch!

“And if I could play once every three months, I probably still could but while I used to join running drills at Hull FC, I don’t so much anymore – your mind can do things your legs can’t.”