Temperatures to drop below freezing again as more areas are flooded
ANOTHER cold night will see temperatures fall to as low as -2C tonight as winter tightens its grip.
As the clean-up continued yesterday after the floods in Mountmellick, Co Laois, there was flooding downstream where the River Barrow caused parts of Portarlington to be hit with flood waters.
Soldiers continued to help flooded householders in Mountmellick and moved on to help residents in Portarlington, where flooding closed two schools.
Rain, hail, sleet and snow that hit parts of the country last night will be followed today with sunny but cold and windy conditions.
There will be further wintry showers today, almost all of them in the north and west, said Met Éireann.
Temperatures will get no higher than 3C to 6C today.
Tonight will be cold and frosty. It will be mainly dry with good clear spells in the south and east, but showers will continue along Atlantic coastal counties.
Tomorrow will start cold, frosty and bright in the east, but it will become cloudy in the west, with outbreaks of rain later in the day.
Respite
There will be some respite from the cold tomorrow night and Met Éireann said it will be mild and breezy as a band of rain spreads eastwards overnight, clearing to showers by morning.
Cold conditions will return on Tuesday.
“Cold weather can and does kill in Ireland, making the winter a particularly challenging period for older people in particular,” Justin Moran, head of advocacy and communications with Age Action, said.
“We would really urge family, friends and neighbours to check in on older people they know living nearby, particularly those who may be living alone or (who) have difficulty getting out and about.
“Dropping in to say hello or a quick phone (call) will always be welcome.”