Met Éireann expects little snow, but cold weather to continue

Poor driving conditions experienced yesterday in many parts of the country are unlikely to be repeated for the remainder of the week, Met Éireann has said.

Although there may be some severe frost, particularly on Wednesday night, snow is not expected, except on very high ground. And there will be less black ice because the roads will be drier, the weather service has said.

Snow, frost and black ice caused problems for drivers in many areas yesterday.

Very heavy snow was experienced in Cork from Glencaum Bridge through Rathdrum and on the N20 between Cork and Mallow. Driving conditions in north Cork and on the M8 via Fermoy were dangerous. Many roads in Cork city were also icy.

Snow at the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap made driving difficult and parts of the N11 in Wicklow and Wexford were dangerous due to black ice.

The N81, from Baltinglass to Tallaght, was also badly affected. Roads around Dunshaughlin were icy and dangerous.

Ice on the N69 between Limerick city and Askeaton gave many motorists problems, with a number of cars skidding.

In Galway parts of the N18 were dangerous as were parts of the N80 and N8 in Laois. Ice on the N8 in Tipperary was also a problem and there were a number of crashes between Templemore and Roscrea.

In Kildare, there were widespread problems caused by snow and ice, particularly at Castledermot on the N9, and in Kilkenny, the county council gritted many roads following crashes on the Tullaroan Road and at Ballymac Cross.

Icy conditions in Donegal, near Glenties, and in Sligo on the N15 lingered until late morning, according to AA Roadwatch. There were also a number of crashes on the N15.

Met Éireann has forecast cold weather up to the weekend, with some light rain and sleet later today especially in the North.

Wednesday will be mainly dry, apart from isolated showers, with some sunshine and temperatures of between five and eight degrees. Thursday and Friday will also be dry with sunny periods, but daytime temperatures will be slightly below normal.

A spokesman from Met Éireann said there would be little or no snow for the remainder of the week. "The general outlook is cold throughout, but much quieter in terms of wind and drier.Wednesday night looks like being frosty and temperatures could drop to minus three degrees."

In icy conditions, AA Roadwatch recommends drivers keep to the highest gears, and if skidding is experienced, drivers should move down the gears gradually while gently braking.

Meanwhile, 150 businesses and homes in Co Mayo are still affected by a lightning strike at the Ballinrobe exchange on Saturday. The strike knocked out services to 3,000 Eircom customers destroying phone lines, modems, computers and other equipment. Some 840 ESB customers in the West were also without power due to lightning over the weekend.