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| Aughrim, Co Wicklow. Pic by Mick Hanney |
Motorists across the country are being advised to drive with extreme caution this morning following the coldest nights of the winter so far.
Mercury levels plummeted to minus 12.7c in parts of Carlow last night where temperatures remained just below minus 11c at 9am. Temperatures in the capital dipped to minus 7c.
Mercury levels plummeted to minus 12.7c in parts of Carlow last night where temperatures remained just below minus 11c at 9am. Temperatures in the capital dipped to minus 7c.
Elsewhere, road temperatures as low as -9.4°C on the N81 at Baltinglass, -8.2°C on the N24 at Clonmel Relief Rd and -7.6°C at Pallas Green. Air temperatures are even lower reaching -10.8°C on the N11 Arklow Bypass.
Overnight snowfall in west Cork and south Kerry has caused travel disruption. Conditions are extremely treacherous around West Cork in particular and there are no Bus Eireann services operating in that area. Roads are treacherous around Bandon, Clonakility and Bantry. Secondary routes are described as bad and motorists are advised to stick to the N22. The N71 is very bad between Bantry and Ballydehob.
AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to drive with extreme caution today. Around the country road conditions on the M1 Dublin/Belfast Rd are treacherous, the Sally Gap & Wicklow Gap are impassable, the Conor Pass in Kerry remains impassable, and snow and ice have been reported along the N5/Dublin Rd at Westport. See AA Roadwatch for more.
Elsewhere, flights are operating normally this morning at Shannon, Cork and Dublin airports.
More snow is forecast for Dublin tomorrow with accumulations of between 5-15cm in some places. iWeather Online forecaster Peter O’Donnell said tomorrow could bring a ‘peak snow day’ for the eastern half of the country.
“Tomorrow will be cloudy with some sunny intervals. However, stronger winds developing with highs generally -4 to 0 C. There is a risk of some heavier snow streamers for eastern counties spreading at times well inland, in ENE winds of 20-35 mph. This may be the "peak snow day" in general terms because of the wind, depth of cold air coming in, and so it's possible that some areas will start to see close to storm or blizzard conditions. Amounts will no doubt be highly variable but we may be looking at 5-15 cms in some parts.
“Tuesday night and Wednesday will continue very cold and if it clears at all on Tuesday night, lows could fall to -11 C over snow fields and -6 C or lower in general. However, it may stay rather cloudy for many areas with continuing snow flurries or squalls. Wednesday will continue very cold with some sunshine developing and fewer snow streamers as winds fall off somewhat to NE 10-25 mph”, added Mr. O’Donnell.
“Tomorrow will be cloudy with some sunny intervals. However, stronger winds developing with highs generally -4 to 0 C. There is a risk of some heavier snow streamers for eastern counties spreading at times well inland, in ENE winds of 20-35 mph. This may be the "peak snow day" in general terms because of the wind, depth of cold air coming in, and so it's possible that some areas will start to see close to storm or blizzard conditions. Amounts will no doubt be highly variable but we may be looking at 5-15 cms in some parts.
“Tuesday night and Wednesday will continue very cold and if it clears at all on Tuesday night, lows could fall to -11 C over snow fields and -6 C or lower in general. However, it may stay rather cloudy for many areas with continuing snow flurries or squalls. Wednesday will continue very cold with some sunshine developing and fewer snow streamers as winds fall off somewhat to NE 10-25 mph”, added Mr. O’Donnell.