CHILLING EFFECT
Freezing conditions expected this week & snow bets flurry
TEMPERATURES may fall below freezing again this week, according to Met Eireann.
Today will be mostly cloudy with some patches of rain and drizzle in the west and north sinking south-eastwards during the afternoon before fizzling out.
Some areas will stay fully dry although they may experience mist.
Hazy sunshine will follow the rain with temperatures getting up to between 8°C and 11°C with calm conditions.
At night, the temperature will fall as low as 0°C up to 4°C.
Tomorrow will also be a mostly dry day apart from some patchy drizzle in the west and northwest.
The east and south can expect some sunny spells with highest temperatures ranging from 8°C to 10°C.
Some frost and ice is likely later under the clear skies with lowest night time temperatures of between -2°C and 2°C.
The cold night will lead into a frosty or even icy start to Thursday morning but there will also be some good sunshine.
Meanwhile, bookies Boylesports slashed the odds on a white St Patrick’s Day in half after some ominous forecasts from weather experts.
The chance of snow at Dublin Airport on March 17 was at a remote 6/1, but is rated more likely now at 3/1.
The gamble comes off the back of a warning from Met Eireann that temperatures could plummet in the coming days, while fears are growing that a Beast from the East-style ‘snow bomb’ could wreak even more havoc in the medium term.
Lovers may need to cuddle up this month too as snow on Valentine’s Day is now a 15/8 chance from 3/1.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for Boylesports said: “The romantics could be out in the cold this month with snow being backed on Valentine’s Day, but a white St Patrick’s Day is even on the radar and it’s safe to say our books are feeling the heat even if nobody else is.”