Motorists warned cold snap set to linger

Motorists were warned to take care on the country’s roads today with the cold snap set to continue.

Gardaí and the AA urged caution after people on the east coast woke up to snow and icy conditions on untreated roads.

Local councils were preparing to salt roads again tonight after Met Eireann forecast significant snowfall over Connacht, Leinster and Ulster.

Forecaster Pat Clarke, from Met Eireann, said: “Last night would have been one of the lowest. the air temperatures would have been down to around, in places not everywhere, as low as minus 6C or minus 7C. In the Midlands and parts of south Ulster the air temperature would have been minus 6C or minus 7C, at the same time down in Kerry it was plus 4C so there was quite a variation across the country.

“The ground surface temperatures at our weather stations would have been as low as minus 12C or minus 13C on the grass.”

Road temperatures in parts of Counties Mayo, Sligo and Donegal plunged as low as minus 7C.

In Wicklow, the road from Sally Gap to the Luggala Crossroads was closed overnight due to icy road conditions.

Mr Clarke said: “There is more bad weather on the way the cold snap is going to stay with us.”

The forecaster said the snow was anticipated to cause disruption to traffic.

“The county councils which had been warned over the last couple of days of the cold weather would also be aware and be told by us of the bad weather tonight. So I would imagine they would have the main roads gritted but if there is significant snowfall it will make their life very difficult. Snow, if it is heavy enough, will wash away the grit already put down.

“So I’d say there will be some disruption, the likelihood is later tonight and tomorrow morning. In northern parts of the country it would be very hazardous out of doors.”

Milder weather was expected by the weekend with wind and rain setting in, he added.