Big freeze set to continue into new year

IRELAND’S big freeze is set to return for the new year with Arctic conditions leading to treacherous icy roads and pavements in many places.

“No records are being broken as regards the temperature for this time of year, but it is unusual that the cold spell has lasted so long,” said Met Éireann forecaster Joan Blackburn yesterday.

She said it was likely that the extreme wintry conditions would continue into 2010.