Drivers warned as cold snap continues

DRIVING conditions remain very dangerous throughout the country as the brutally cold winter snap continues.

Met Éireann has warned that freezing weather conditions will continue today following a very cold and frosty night.

It has also advised that south-west to south winds will reach gale force today along the east coast.

There were heavy hail, sleet and snow showers and some thunderstorms yesterday, making driving in some parts of the country very difficult.

The Automobile Association (AA) has urged motorists to continue to drive with extra care — reducing speed and keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Black ice is most rampant on very cold days on wet roads, especially at night, on exposed bends, underneath trees and bridges and also on higher ground.

The AA advises motorists to reduce speed as soon as they see a potential skid spot.

In Cork, hundreds of ESB consumers were without power last night. The areas affected included Douglas Court, Maryboro Hill, Maryboro Wood and Carr’s Hill. The ESB was unable to say when power would be restored to all homes and businesses blacked out by the break in supply.

According to Met Éireann, today will be a cloudy, windy day with outbreaks of rain, heavy and persistent at times.

Tomorrow will be a cold, bright, blustery day with sunny spells and passing heavy, wintry showers, with frost and icy patches developing during the night. It will remain cold on Friday with sunny spells and wintry showers generally.

The weekend will be cool and blustery, with sunny spells and passing rain or hail showers.