Rain and sleet likely as wintry weather persists

IRELAND is unlikely to experience the severe weather conditions being endured by Britain at the moment, but the wintry weather…

IRELAND is unlikely to experience the severe weather conditions being endured by Britain at the moment, but the wintry weather will continue, with a risk of snow.

A front bringing rain and sleet will have reached Munster and Connacht by this morning and will travel across the country today, bringing the rain and sleet to the east.

"We are a few degrees above zero at the moment, but if the temperature drops that will fall as snow," said Ms Jean Byrne of the Met Service. "But I'd say it's a bless than 50 per cent chance.

The warned of sharp or severe frost fast night bringing a risk of icy roads this morning.

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Northern Ireland travellers were last night being advised to avoid travelling to and from Britain because of the hazardous heavy snow conditions.

While up to last night the North was escaping the worst of the freezing conditions afflicting many parts of Britain, scores of Northern travellers were nonetheless stranded by the treacherous weather.

On the M74, the main road between Scotland and England more than 1,000 lorries and cars were trapped in the heavy snow. Several of these vehicles were being driven by Northern Ireland motorists.

Ulsterbus yesterday cancelled further services to Britain, apart from one service to Glasgow this morning, until further notice because of the "freak weather conditions".

The bad weather also created long flight delays. Passengers heading for Northern Ireland from airports in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham were experiencing lengthy delays.

Ferry and bus companies were advising Northern Ireland travellers to avoid travelling to Britain until conditions had improved. Likewise people heading to the North from Britain were advised to delay their arrangements.