Weather springs a surprise for March

March, as the saying goes, suddenly came ‘in a like a lion’ but whether it will go ‘out like a lamb’ is too early to guess, even for our most experienced forecasters. 

Although spring has finally arrived, the current wintry spell looks set to stay at least until the middle of the week.

Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for widespread snow and ice for the next few days. The snow and ice won’t last, however, as mild air will return to most counties which could see temperatures of 15C by next weekend.

Snow blizzards that blanketed the country yesterday and Sunday were heaviest along the west coast in Galway and Mayo, but also evident further south in parts of Cork and Kerry.

Several GAA matches were called off because the pitches were impossible to play on. Galway’s game against Laois had to be postponed as the pitch was covered in a blanket of snow and matches in parts of Roscommon were also cancelled.

Dublin Airport had to halt operations for 20 minutes to allow ice and slush to be cleared from the runway.

AA Roadwatch has warned drivers to continue to take care on the roads as the melting frost has left surfaces in a treacherous condition.

Wintry showers will dominate in western and northern counties tonight, especially over Ulster and north Connacht. Lowest temperatures are expected to be around 0C to 3C, with moderate north-west wind, and frost and ice in parts.

Those wintry showers will moderate tomorrow and revert to rain, says Met Éireann. The day will be dry with good sunny spells but some scattered showers occurring too, mainly affecting the northern half of the country, particularly Ulster.

That would appear to be the end of the cold spell — at least for the moment — with warmer weather occurring towards the weekend and temperatures rising to double figures.