LAST night saw the coldest of the Arctic blast hitting Ireland so far as temperatures dropped to a freezing -8C in some areas.
The lowest temperatures recorded overnight were in Kilcogy in Cavan, where they plunged to a bone-chilling -8.2C for a short time, and at Limerick Junction where they hit a bitter low of -8C.
The snow doesn’t look set to thaw anytime soon[/caption]
Cold temperatures are expected to remain overnight[/caption]
Met Eireann has also confirmed that lows of hit -7.5C in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, -7C hit Athenry, Co Galway and -6.7 in Oak Park, Co Carlow.
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing level in many areas today as highs “really struggle” between 0C and 4C – with Met Eireann reminding people that a bout of weather warnings are in place.
A status yellow low temperature/ice warning remains in place until 12pm tomorrow.
Meanwhile, every single county apart from Donegal remains under a Status Orange low temperature and ice alert until 11am today.
Along with this, Met Eireann are warning of dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, travel disruption and delays and animal welfare issues.
More snow also fell overnight, hitting northern areas including Donegal despite a less severe warning in place there.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather confirmed that many areas saw temperatures sitting below -3C or even -5C this morning.
He said: “Showers near West coast and Northwest also. Good sunny spells developing where fog clears but fog will linger in some areas.
“Those heavy showers hitting Northern areas with some heavy snowfall tonight.”
Met Eireann’s Mark Bowe revealed that the cold snap isn’t moving on any time soon as freezing temperatures remain for another day.
He said: “The cold air certainly has a tight grip over the country now, that bitterly cold air mass came down over us with snow this past weekend has sat still over the country and isn’t moving anywhere.
“You may have noticed the winds have been rather light the past day or so without any strong winds, there simply isn’t enough driving force to shove that cold air mass on.
“The cold temperatures are staying with us and it was certainly very cold last night, it well down below freezing across the entire country with widespread ice making roads and paths treacherous.”
Today is looking to bring more ice and frost as cold conditions linger, with some wintry showers making an appearance.
He continued: “This morning, it is absolutely freezing with plenty of frost and ice, and that’s going to linger through the day in places as temperatures are going to struggle to get beyond freezing until about midday.
“We do have some sunshine for most across the country and it will be dry, but there will be a few wintry showers over parts of Connacht and Ulster.”
Temperatures will see a slight and brief jump before heading back to bitter conditions.
Mark said: “Highs today are going to struggle to get over freezing, possibly 3C or 4C at times, but it is going to be very cold later on tonight with lows going back down to around -6C or -7C.”
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
He also noted that as Friday sets in, plenty more frost, ice and black ice is expected despite warnings being lifted.
But good news as warmer air will bring some relief over the weekend as temperatures go back to normal.
Saturday will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle gradually clearing away to the north.
Isolated bright or sunny spells will develop and dry weather will remain for the afternoon, with temperatures of 4C to 8C.
A dry and cloudy night will see low temperatures of 2C to 6C as mist and fog forms.
Sunday will be yet another overcast day with temperatures seeing a major spike, hitting 8C to 11C.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Schools in several counties have made the call to keep doors shut today as the “bitterly cold” conditions refuse to ease.
Counties Tipperary, Kerry, Limerick and Cork, among others have been stepped in snow all week, making roads impassable and causing serious disruption.
Some schools in Leitrim, Westmeath, Kildare, Longford, Roscommon, Donegal, Sligo, Offaly and Wicklow have chosen not to open today.
While many schools in Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Limerick, Kerry, and Tipperary have been closed all week and will close again today or operate a delayed opening.
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.
Lough Allen College in Drumkeeran, St Clare’s Comprehensive in Manorhamilton, Drumshanbo Vocational School, High Park NS Dromard, Scoil Chriost Ri NS Enniscrone, Four Masters NS Kinlough, Drumkeerin NS, Summerhill College, St Celica’s Special school in Sligo and St Josephs Special School Ballytivnan all announced closures today.
Also closed today are Carraroe NS, Sligo, St Mary’s NS, Virginia, Ballinrobe Community School, Mayo, Carberry NS and Masterson NS Manorhamilton.
Our Lady Of Mercy Primary school, Pearse Road Sligo is now set to open at the later time of 10.30 this morning, with St. Marys College Ballisodare opening at 11.15am.
It has been advised to check any public transport services used for schools in order to see if they are operating as normal.
