DUBLIN can expect another round of bitter weather today, with a Status Orange warning in place now after temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling -5C last night.
Temperatures are expected to plunge as low as -6C in Dublin tonight as Met Eireann warned highs will be “really struggling” to push over 2C to 5C today.
The Status Orange low temperature and ice weather warning came into place last night for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster and Connacht from 6pm, lasting until 11am this morning.
While a more mild day than we’ve seen across the country this week for the capital, temperatures will struggle to reach between 2C and 5C.
This morning is another cold one with widespread frost and ice lingering, and only a scattering of cloud meaning the cold air is going nowhere.
Tonight will also see another bitterly cold evening hit as frost sets in early.
Met Eireann is preparing Dubs for the worst, as temperatures are expected to remain between -6C and -2C, with frost, ice and black ice expected.
As conditions remain harsh across the city and county, councils are reminding road users to be alert.
South Dublin County Council urged locals to make themselves aware of local salt bin locations and gritting routes.
The council, who have seven gritting trucks and seven snow ploughs, revealed the information is available on their website.
The bone-chilling conditions in store have forced schools in several counties to keep their doors shut tomorrow or opt for a delayed opening, including a number in Dublin.
In Dublin, schools in several areas including Sutton, Baldoyle, Swords and Donabate will open later than usual, around 11am as the orange weather warning expires.
St. Oliver Plunkett school in Malahide will open at 11am, with Scoil Isa following at 11.10am.
Our Lady of Mercy College Beaumont will also see a delayed opening of 11am, St. Bernadette’s Senior School, Quarryvale will also open at 11am.
St Martin de Porres NS, Dublin 24 will open at 9.50am and St Bernadette’s JNS, Quarryvale, will open at 10.30am.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
Tomorrow is looking to be a cloudier, but slightly warmer day for Dublin as outbreaks of light rain and most dry conditions will take hold.
Highest temperatures are looking to hit between 2C and 5C during the day, with an overcast night bringing those temperatures down to 0C to 4C.
This weekend will remain cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle gradually clearing away, with Saturday temperatures rising to 4C to 8C.
And looking towards conditions in Dublin next week, Met Eireann warned: “Current indications are for high pressure to develop to the southeast of the country but a few frontal systems will clip western and northern counties too.
“Overall rather mixed with cloud and drizzle along Atlantic coastal fringes but drier and perhaps sunnier in the southeast.”
COLDEST TEMPS EVER RECORDED IN IRELAND
AS freezing conditions and low temperatures hit Ireland, the country is set to bask in ice, snow and sleet.
With temperatures setting into minus figures, it won’t beat the coldest days ever recorded on the island.
The coldest areas in Ireland are usually found inland, with coastal areas benefiting from sea breezes to keep warmer.
Mullingar, Co Westmeath has the lowest average temperature at 9.3C yearly, but it is not the coldest ever recorded area.
Here are the areas in the country that have recorded the lowest ever temperatures:
- Co Sligo: On January 16, 1881, –19.1C was recorded at Markree Castle in Collooney.
- Co Kildare: On January 2, 1979, -18.8C was recorded in Lullymore.
- Co Longford: On February 7, 1895, -17.8C was recorded in Mostrim while the area also saw the coldest July temperature ever at -0.3C on July 8, 1889.
- Co Sligo: Again at Markree Castle, -17.2C was recorded on March 3, 1947, -8.3C on October 31, 1926 and -7.7C on April 15, 1892.
- Co Donegal: The coldest ever temperature in May on record was detected in Glenties at -5.6C.
- Co Offaly: On June 1, 1962, Clonsast saw temperatures drop to -3.3C.
- Co Wicklow: The coldest ever day in August was in Rathdrum with temperatures dropping to -2.7C on August 30, 1964.
- Co Wexford: On November 29, 2010, Clonroche saw temperatures drop to -11.5C.
- Co Mayo: Also in 2010, temperatures in Straide dropped to -17.5C on Christmas Day.
Yesterday, concerns had been raised over the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition taking place in the RDS this week.
There were fears that not all 225 schools set to attend event would be able to travel to the competition due to the cold snap, with organisers making necessary exceptions to accommodate pupils.
Head of the exhibition Mari Cahalane told RTE News: “Normally we ask for all of the students to be booked in by 12pm on the Wednesday, just before the opening ceremony.
And in latest updates from event organisers it appears all schools are on track to make the competition after local communities rallied together to clear roads.
Ms Cahalane said: “We’ve heard of a school that had tractors out ploughing the roads to make sure the students would be here.
“It’s a lovely thing that communities are getting behind this because the students have put so much work in to be here.”
