WEATHER bosses warned that the “cold air isn’t going anywhere” as a Status Orange weather warning kicked in for 22 counties.
Met Eireann’s official stations recorded temperatures at a freezing -5.7C in Dublin last night, while weather experts report temperatures of -6C in some places.
Temperatures will drop again tonight[/caption]
A Status Orange low temperature and ice warning came into affect from 8pm last night for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster and Connacht.
This will lift at 10am this morning before the same warning comes back into action for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster and Connacht from 6pm tonight, remaining in place until 11am on Thursday.
Weighing in on last night’s temperatures Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said: “While not as low as forecast it got down to -6c in some and it is still below -4c in many areas with frost for most away from coasts and freezing fog.
“Very icy conditions this morning and a cold day, especially where fog lingers.
“Another frosty night ahead tonight with more freezing fog.”
And as those conditions linger, some schools in Kerry, Limerick, Carlow, Tipperary and Laois that have been closed so far this week are set to remain closed.
Additionally, schools in Leitrim, Westmeath, Kildare, Longford, Roscommon, Donegal and Offaly have been informing staff and pupils over last night and this morning that they will remain shut in the interest of safety.
And while some schools have opted to remain open, certain school bus routes have been cancelled due to treacherous road conditions.
Posting on social media Micheal Friel Coaches, who run private bus routes in the Donegal area, have said they are continuing to monitor the situation amid cancellations.
They said: “Private school bus routes to Woodland NS, Lurgybrack NS and Letterkenny secondary schools all cancelled this morning. Will assess road conditions around 12 and update then for afternoon run.”
And as the country wakes up to one of the chiller days in this cold snap so far, Met Eireann’s Mark Bowe has warned there is more to come.
Speaking on RTE’s Prime Time, he said: “Cold air just isn’t going anywhere. I’m afraid it’s more of the same cold weather unfortunately.
“That system that brought all the snow, as it shifted away to the east over the weekend, it dragged in very cold air behind it and that cold air just isn’t going anywhere.
“It’s going to stay with us through today, tomorrow and Thursday as well.”
And he warned: “Our daytime temperatures will really struggle, but the overnight temperatures are going to go down to -6C, -7C, maybe even -8C, so plenty of severe frost and ice is expected”.
“At the moment it’s looking like around Friday and towards the weekend, we’ll see that warm air come back in but it’s going to be with us until around the weekend, I’m afraid.”
‘BITTERLY COLD’
Temperatures today will remain below freezing in some areas with highs of just -1C to 4C expected across the country.
It will remain “bitterly cold” this morning with ice, frost and freezing fog lingering across the country.
And issuing a warning on those conditions last night, Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather had particular concerns over freezing fog.
He explained on social media: “Temperatures are now starting to drop and they will drop quickly!
“A big risk of freezing fog tonight which causes very icy conditions with anything it comes in contact with. Already very icy for many areas this evening.”
Most areas will be dry and sunny today with some wintry showers in the northwest.
Some patchy rain also possible along with cloud on the south coast.
ANOTHER FREEZING NIGHT
And the country will need to brace for another night of difficult conditions as that Status Orange warning kicks back into place for most of the country tonight.
Met Eireann’s Gerry Murphy warned: ” Tonight is going to be another extremely cold night with a few wintry showers in the north and west.
“But otherwise dry with severe frost, ice or black ice and patches of freezing fog.”
Temperatures will drop significantly once again to lows of -8C overnight.
And Ireland will be waking up to lingering ice, frost and freezing fog on an excruciatingly cold Thursday morning with temperatures still in freezing range at -1C to 4C.
Conditions are not set to improve much on Thursday night as temperatures drop as low as -7C.
And snow and sleet are set to cast a blanket of white over the country come tomorrow night.
Met Eireann warn: “Thursday night will start off dry and very cold with severe frost and freezing fog developing.
“Cloud will build from the southwest overnight and a band of rain, sleet and snow will move northeastwards over Munster and southern parts of Leinster and Connacht.
“Further north and east it will stay dry and very cold. Lowest temperatures of -7C to -2C generally, coldest early in the night.”
MORE SNOW TO FALL
And despite milder weather promised come the weekend, Ireland is set to be hit with some more snowy downfalls before that kicks in.
Temperatures will be up slightly, making it above freezing in some areas for the first time in days at 1C to 5C in some places.
Snow and sleet will continue to travel across the country on Friday morning following Thursday night’s bone chilling conditions.
However, it will gradually change to more sleet like falls come afternoon.
As it stands both the current Status Orange and Status Yellow warnings in place are set to lift by noon on Friday.
More snow is set to fall over coming nights[/caption]
Weather warnings have been issued for ever county[/caption]
