Cold snap to persist but white Christmas unlikely

FREEZING weather conditions will continue well into next week, with widespread frost making roads extremely hazardous but the prospect of a white Christmas is slipping away.

Met Éireann said that while the weather would remain cold up to Christmas Day, it would not be as chilly, ruling out the possibility of snow on the day.

With temperatures expected to be as low -5C this weekend, AA Roadwatch is warning motorists to be particularly careful, especially on high ground or exposed roads. “Road temperatures are often far lower than the air temperature and often drivers may not realise the roads are still icy,” said AA Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson.

“On these dark mornings, roads often refreeze around 7.30am or 8am, as we saw yesterday morning and there were a number of crashes as a result,” she said.

Some of the key areas to watch out for over the weekend include the Conor Pass, Co Kerry, the gap of Dunloe and Barnsmore Gap in Co Donegal, the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap in Co Wicklow and the M50 in Co Dublin. The AA breakdown service received more than 120 calls before 10.30am yesterday morning and is preparing for a very busy weekend.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is warning road users to be extra alert when driving in snow or icy conditions. In particular, the RSA is urging motorists to remove all snow from their vehicle before starting a journey.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey urged all road users to listen to the advice of the gardaí and RSA and to heed road warning signs.

Over the coming days and into the early part of next week, showers of sleet and snow are forecast for many areas, with the northern half of the country and western counties most at risk.

Met Éireann weather forecaster Joan Blackburn said while it would be very cold over the weekend and into next week many areas would remain largely dry.

“Connacht, Ulster and west Munster will probably be at risk for the heaviest precipitation which will be in the form of sleet or snow,” she said.

The cold snap will continue into Monday and Tuesday with temperatures struggling to reach any more than two or three degrees at most. “Anywhere could catch a snow shower tonight but then it gets dry and clear and frosty after that,” she said. “Throughout Sunday there will be plenty of showers coming in off the Atlantic but they will be affecting Connacht, west to north Ulster and west Munster,” she said.

Ms Blackburn said there was not a lot of evidence that there would be snow on Christmas Day because the weather would not be as cold as it was now. Insurance company FBD is urging people leaving home for Christmas not to turn off the central heating but to reduce it to a minimum – about 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. It also advises motorists to ensure their mobile phones are charged when going out in bad weather, in case they have to make an emergency call.

Age Action is urging people to make an extra effort to keep in contact with their older neighbours in the coming days. Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said it was crucial everyone played their part in ensuring that those who were frail or housebound remained safe and well.