Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 26 Oct 2018
IT’S THE START of the long weekend and polling day, meaning two things: the roads are going to be busy.
As people head off home for the Bank Holiday Weekend, or to vote after work, the AA is urging people to be careful – especially as Met Éireann are warning that temperatures could fall as low as -3 this weekend.
The “colder than average” conditions over the Bank Holiday weekend will mean that, despite some sunshine, there will be overnight frosts and some icy patches.
“A slow and gradual recovery in temperatures is signalled for next week,” Met Éireann said.
Tonight, temperatures are expected to be between zero to plus 3 degrees at the lowest. Tomorrow night will be even colder, with temperatures dipping between -2 and +2 degrees Celsius; on Sunday night it will be between -3 to +2 degrees.
“Temperatures will drop away fairly quickly after dark, with frost forming in the clear, near calm conditions and some icy patches are expected,” Met Éireann forecast.
Early frost and ice will clear on Monday with temperatures limping back up towards double figures.
With an increase in the number of cars on routes across the country and a dip in temperatures expected over the coming weekend, AA Ireland is calling on motorists to take extra precautions when driving.
“As the Bank Holiday also coincides with the school mid-term, many families will be planning trips across the country or visits to family members over the coming weekend,” Conor Faughnan, AA director of consumer affairs said in a statement.
This means an increase in motorists using routes they may be less familiar with, so it’s important that you allow extra travel time for any journey you’re making, reduce your speed where necessary and allow extra distance between yourself and the car in front of you – even if you know the route well.
He also urged all motorists to be on the lookout for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists or families out for a stroll.
This is the first true cold spell we’ve had this year since Storm Emma back in April, so it’s important to ensure that your car is winter-ready.
“If you’re planning a cross-country journey then it’s no harm to check the condition of your tyres and give the car a quick once-over before you leave to keep you as safe as possible,” Faughnan added.
In the cold weather there’s also a risk of cars not starting. Older cars’ batteries drain if the car lies idle for a number of days; this problem is particularly pronounced in cold weather or early in the morning.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Can’t help but think of the poor feckers on the streets when you see headlines like this
& stay off yer mobile phones when behind the wheel.
@Rodger 5: it’s actually shocking how many people I see on a daily basis doing that
@Rodger 5: nothing will make em stop that
Insane when u see folks even in big vans driving at a junction using the phone…or mum’s with a kid in the back !!!
Can all cyclists wear reflective gear and lights on bikes, youre nearly invisable on these dark evenings
@shanekeogh: not just cyclists. Walkers and runners. Your nearly on top of them before you see them.
The annual six-month spell of TheJournal overusing the word “plummet” is about to begin.
@Donncha Ó Coileáin: Thank goodness, they didn’t use the other overused word “cold snap”!
This is a very useful article, people may have forgotten what to do in the… (checks notes)… months since the last cold weather.
Here’s my view on how to stay safe on the roads. don’t drive like an a$$hole
@Roy Dowling: That plead will probably fall on deaf ears
Stay off mobile phones in the last week alone I have encountered 76 people on phones whilst driving cars with children , vans , tractors with toddlers aboard driver on mobile, the number of women was greater than men so when are we going to learn !!! This is a bigger threat than a few days of inclement weather.
@Elizabeth Thewiz: ha ha 76? That’s awful precise – but the do say 81.5% of statistics are wrong!
The weather apps still don’t have any temp going below + 2c. Who to believe……
Don’t care am staying in home for the whole long weekend and won’t be watching the rubbish rte and the terrible virgin media has to offer us have lots of better quality tv shows and movies and add free to keep me entertained ha
@Liam Ward: Freeloader.. Welcome to the club.
As someone who drives for a living ,mobiles are still being used .I don’t see any reduction.
Let’s get the fire lighters
NEMS or ECMWF vis Windy predict subzero temperatures for nowhere in the country over the weekend. The lowest temperature predicted for most places is 2º to 3º. At the lowest only Athlone is predicted to have 0º for a 3 hour period on Sunday morning.
Time to sit with the heat on and the hands down de pants
have your say