LAST UPDATE | 30 Jan 2019
MOTORISTS HAVE BEEN urged to take extra caution on roads today amid an ongoing national snow-ice warning.
A number of train services have also been affected by the weather.
A Status Yellow snow-ice warning came into effect yesterday morning and will remain in place until midday on Saturday.
Temperatures are set to dip to minus five degrees Celsius over the coming days.
Several parts of the country experienced snowfall overnight and there is widespread frost with icy stretches on untreated surfaces.
There is the potential for further significant snowfall in some areas tomorrow.
AA Roadwatch has advised motorists to exercise caution, noting that snow is lying on the roads in Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton, Sligo Town and Letterkenny.
Slippery conditions have also been reported around Longford town, Roscommon town, Tullamore, Mullingar, Cavan town, Cork city, Limerick city, Galway city, Portlaoise and Thurles.
Frost and ice are likely on secondary routes and on high ground in particular.
“Remember it takes up to 10 times longer to stop on an icy road. In affected areas, slow down, keep further back from the vehicle in front and keep all manoeuvres gentle,” AA Roadwatch said, listing the following information:
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has also asked drivers to take the time to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy and ready for these conditions as further hail, sleet and snow is expected.
Drivers should:
Drivers are also advised to carry items such as high-visibility vests, appropriate footwear in case they have to leave their vehicles, a hazard warning triangle, de-icing equipment, a first aid kit, a working torch, a blanket and some food and water.
Tips for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in icy conditions can be found on the RSA website.
A number of Irish Rail services were delayed this morning due to the weather conditions.
Full Dart services are now operating with delays of up to 15 minutes.
Bus Éireann also cancelled a number of services this morning due to adverse conditions. It said it is monitoring conditions nationwide and updating information on its website as soon as it is available.
‘Bitterly cold’
Today will be very cold with widespread frost, icy patches and snow in places, Met Éireann said.
All areas will have good sunny spells and the wintry showers will become more isolated by the afternoon. Top temperatures will range from three to five degrees, generally, but up to seven degrees on the southwest coast.
Lowest temperatures will range from minus two to minus four tonight. There will also be frost, ice, sleet or hill snow in places.
Very cold conditions will persist until Sunday with very frosty nights and widespread icy conditions.
Tomorrow will be cold and windy with periods of heavy rain and sleet or snow in some areas, mostly on high ground and mountains.
Top temperatures will generally range from two to five degrees, reach six or seven degrees along the southern coast.
The snow is likely to be heaviest over much of Munster and south Leinster with significant accumulations in some places.
Temperatures will drop to minus five in certain areas overnight on Thursday into Friday.
Met Éireann said it will be “bitterly cold” on Friday and Saturday nights
There will be top daytime temperatures of about two to four degrees on Friday and overnight temperatures of minus two to minus four.
Daytime temperatures on Saturday will reach up to seven degrees, but drop as low as minus five at night.
- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy.
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