Cold weather set to continue

FORECAST:THE COLD weather is set to continue in the coming week with Met Éireann forecasting wintry showers and low temperatures for most parts of the Republic.

Forecaster Michael McAuliffe said there was no sign of milder weather on the way.

Severe frosts and low daytime temperatures are expected tomorrow, not rising above 5 degrees.

Most places are expected to stay dry, though there is a risk of scattered wintry showers spreading southwards across Ulster and north Connacht and into parts of north Leinster.

Tonight snow is forecast in Ulster and the northern parts of Leinster and Connacht, but may also affect other parts of the country.

On Tuesday, northerly winds from the arctic are expected, again bringing wintry showers to Ulster and North Connacht.

And on Wednesday, when the wind turns north easterly, the east of the country may be more affected by showers.

Forecasters have also predicted the possibility of more widespread snow during Thursday. Temperatures are to remain low during next weekend, though it is expected to remain dry.

The cold snap has not broken any temperature records yet.

The lowest air temperature ever recorded in Ireland was -19.1 degrees measured at Markree Castle, Co Sligo on January 16th, 1881. The lowest 20th-century air temperature was -18.8 degrees recorded at Lullymore, Co Kildare on January 2nd, 1979.

Christmas Day this year was one of the coldest recorded for the month, with temperatures as low as -10 degrees in Mullingar. Ballyhaise in Cavan recorded -9.7 degrees, Claremorris dipped to -9.9 degrees and Dublin airport measured -6.6.

Mr McAuliffe said although there were no records broken in terms of temperatures so far, it was probably 1963 since the country experienced such a prolonged cold spell.

The cold weather had been sustained for more than three weeks, temperatures had not risen beyond four or five degrees by day and were consistently below zero at night, he said.

Although last winter the Republic did experience a lot of cold weather, temperatures did not drop below -8 degrees at any stage.

To measure below -8 three or four times over a few days was very unusual, Mr McAuliffe said, and it looks likely to continue.

“It has been very unusual to have such a consistent spell of cold weather. And we can see no sign of it changing. There is no sign of milder weather on the way,” he said.