Heavy rains and gales to replace big freeze

MET Éireann has warned of more severe weather conditions in the south of the country today, with the big freeze being replaced by heavy rain and high winds.

Temperatures will fall to between +2C and -2C early tonight with frost and icy patches inland but any frost will be gone by morning as wet and windy weather extends from the southwest.

Heavy rain is forecast for later today over Munster and south Leinster with some local flooding and winds gusting to 100 km/h. Highest temperatures in those ares is expected to be 5C to 8C. Cold, cloudy and windy elsewhere with scattered outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow and highest temperatures only 1 to 4 degrees.

Slush is the main problem in other areas with patches of black ice in places and the Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to drive with extra care.

Bus Éireann says the vast majority of its services are operating, some with delays. It says there is significant disruption to services in Cork and Kerry. Bus services between Tralee and Killarney and Limerick were cancelled last night. Resumption of Tralee-Limerick and Killarney-Limerick services will be reviewed this morning.

There is also disruption to some services in Limerick. Dublin Bus says it is operating a full service with some curtailments.

The Defence Forces continued yesterday to support local council’s and the HSE with 66 personnel and 23 vehicles working throughout the country, mainly in Leitrim, Westmeath and Cork. There were a further 450 personnel on standby around the country.

Cork Airport reopened yesterday afternoon after being closed for 16 hours because of heavy snowfalls.

Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for updates.

Dublin, Shannon and Kerry airports are operating as normal while Belfast City Airport continues to report some delays to incoming flights.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service, which had been running short of blood supplies because of the severe weather, said it now has enough blood in all major groups to last up to a week. Another major problem facing householders is water shortage with many homes suffering burst pipes.

Cork city manager Joe Gavin said water supplies to key buildings like the Mercy Hospital were being affected by low pressure across the water network.

Supplies were restricted in several parts of the city with stand pipes set up in some areas for emergencies.

Hundreds of homes in Limerick city and county were still without water yesterday as local authority staff worked to maintain supplies.

Nine water points have been set up in the city and a further four in the county.

Donal Brennan, senior engineer with Limerick City Council said they have more than 80 personnel working to maintain water supplies. The council operates 60 water plants along with five river supply plants.

The continuing hazardous conditions caused by the extremely cold weather mean many older people have been house-bound for days or weeks, she said.