TAKE IT FREEZY
Weather alert as -4C blast brings dangers for drivers & pedestrians
IRELAND is braced for a bitter blast of wintry weather with temperatures set to plummet to -4C.
Met Eireann said the severe frosts from the mass of Arctic air will pose dangers for drivers and pedestrians.
Two Status Yellow weather warnings are in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster, Galway and Roscommon until 11am today.
Met Eireann warned driving conditions will be difficult with animal welfare also a concern.
Weatherman Alan O’reilly said: “It will be cold until Friday with hard frost most nights and cold temperatures by day. It will be a little bit less cold for a time on Tuesday but generally staying very cold until Friday at least.
“Some wintry showers are expected mainly in the north and north-west with sleet and snow tonight and tomorrow morning.
“But many other areas will be staying dry. And the good news is there will be some good sunny spells. It’s not unusual to get a cold spell this time of the year but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.
“We are not expecting any significant snowfall but locally there could be heavy snowfalls in Donegal and the north-west but probably more on higher ground.
“There was a threat of rain moving up from the south and meeting that cold air and turning to snow in the south but it looks like it is going to stay south of us and into France and maybe England.” In the North, the PSNI urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads following freezing overnight temperatures, particularly in rural areas.
A spokeswoman said: “Reduce your speed, and increase your stopping distance from the vehicle in front.”
The Met Office issued a snow and ice warning for Northern Ireland between 3am today until 9am tomorrow.
It said snow showers would bring some disruption, warning the public to expect some roads and railways are likely to be affected.
A separate status Yellow snow warning is in most parts of the region for all of Wednesday and Thursday.
Two weather warnings in place 10 counties until 11am today