Icy grip keeps ahold of nation

Ireland will remain in winter’s icy grip today with many roads due to be hazardous following overnight frost.

Met Éireann forecaster Pat Clarke said while blustery winds would die down overnight, frost and some icy patches would develop in sheltered areas.

“It will remain cold for the rest of the week with frost being an issue more than anything else,” he said. “Meteorologically, spring does not start until Mar 1 and we often get weather like this in February.”

AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to use major routes where possible as these are more likely, than secondary or local roads, to have been gritted.

Road conditions greatly improved yesterday after a very cold start with ice and snow causing problems.

The motoring body has urged drivers to continue to exercise care in icy conditions by slowing down and remembering that gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.

Severe blustery winds died down yesterday but were gusting at over 50 knots (90km/h) along the South-West and West coasts.

There were snowfalls in many parts of the country yesterday on top of icy roads, but temperatures rose after the early morning rush hour.

Rain and hail showers fell during daylight hours and temperatures increased to 8C in Shannon Airport, 5C in Cork, and 6Cin Dublin.

Today will be cold and bright with sunny spells with highest temperatures of between 5C and 7C. It is expected to become very cold tonight with widespread frost and a risk of icy patches.

Widespread rain is expected tomorrow and while the night will be mostly dry, temperatures will be close to freezing with frost and icy patches expected on Friday morning.

“Over the weekend there is a risk of frost most nights. Sunday night in particular is expected to be very cold, according to our charts,” said Mr Clarke.

According to Met Éireann, early indications suggest it will remain very changeable well into next week.