Big chill strikes Brrr, Co Offaly

IRELAND is shivering in the coldest temperatures for a decade.

Temperatures last night were forecast to plummet to minus 6ºC with the wind chill making it feel much colder.

The night before saw the mercury drop to minus 7.8ºC in Birr, Co Offaly, the coldest air temperature since Christmas 1995.

Ground temperatures fell as low as minus 16ºC in parts of the country but yesterday recovered to reach 15ºC in the daytime.

Met Éireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly said the cause of the freezing weather was wind from the North Pole.

She said: “Cold air is coming from the polar regions and it is coming down across the whole country. The lowest we recorded was minus 7.8ºC at Birr but cold weather was spread across the country.”

Met Éireann predicts the cold snap will last until Tuesday, when the country will be enjoying warmer temperatures - accompanied by rain.

Ireland has been waking up to severe hoarfrost, with treacherous conditions reported on untreated roads.

Snow has blanketed the north and north-west, causing further problems for motorists.

Ms Donnelly said yesterday: “There will be a slight wind, so if you are walking in it, then it will feel a lot colder. But the wind will stop significant frosts from forming.

“It will be milder in coastal areas but it will still be cold there too.”

Met Éireann predicted that much of the country will enjoy a bright, sunny day today but scattered hail and snow showers would still affect northern parts of Ulster and Connacht.

Temperatures will reach plus 3ºC to plus 6ºC in a cold north-westerly breeze.