Spring break: Wintry weather snaps back

JUST as it was beginning to look like spring had sprung, the icy cold conditions of one of the harshest winters on record have come back for an unwanted encore.

Yesterday, driving conditions were hazardous in parts of counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly and Westmeath due to sleet and snow.

Gale force winds yesterday forced the cancellation of ferry sailings and driving conditions were described as hazardous on many roads after falls of sleet and snow.

Today, further falls of rain, sleet and snow are forecast for parts of Ulster, north Leinster and east Connacht, with most of the snow, 10cm to 20cm, falling on high ground.

Today will be cold and windy with fresh to strong and gusty northwesterly winds.

Sleet or snow showers are likely on high ground in the west and north of the country.

The Stena Line express sailing on the Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead route, scheduled for 1.15pm yesterday, was cancelled, as was the Irish Ferries afternoon swift crossing on the Dublin to Holyhead route.

Both ferry companies said services today are in doubt because of expected rough seas.

All P&O fast ferry sailings between Larne, Co Antrim, and Cairnryan in Scotland were also cancelled yesterday.

Thursday will be dry and bright for the most part – no more than a few isolated wintry showers. Temperatures will be a few degrees higher than recent days, though still on the cool side. Winds will continue to decrease as they back westerly. However, they will further back south to southeast during Thursday evening and begin to strengthen again.

Rain will spread from the south-west during Thursday night and may be preceded in places by a little sleet or snow, mainly over high ground.

The rain will give way to showers on Friday, but some of the showers will be heavy and possibly thundery in places.

Winds will decrease and become variable in direction. Saturday will be a brighter day, with sunny periods and scattered wintry showers and it will feel cold in a fresh to strong north-west wind.