Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Beast from East brings -3C chiller
Heavy snow to cause chaos Health fears for older people
WEATHER warnings for snow have been issued as an icy blast of bitterly cold Siberian air delays the arrival of spring.
The “Beast from the East” could see temperatures fall as low as -3C and up to 4in of snow as the polar vortex from Russia hits, with the cold weather expected to stay until mid-march.
Fears for elderly and vulnerable people have sparked health warnings ahead of what is set to be the coldest late February in five years. NHS bosses have warned people to stock up on medicine in case they become snowed in.
The Met Office has warned, from Monday, there will be delays and cancellations of rail and air travel, and some rural communities could be cut off by road.
Today will be cloudy with some sunny spells.
It will feel chilly, with top temperatures just 4C to 6C over Belfast, Derry and Newry but reaching 7C to 9C over Dublin and Cork. After dark, there will be a widespread frost with temperatures falling to -3C.
Tomorrow will be dry but cold with top temperatures reaching 4C to 7C.
The Met Office, said: “We will see significant snowfall in Eastern areas of the country by Tuesday. On Monday to Tuesday temperatures will be 1C maximum.” Experts fear A&ES will be busy. Prof Keith Willett said: “For every degree the temperature drops below 5C, there is a 10% rise in elderly people presenting with breathing problems.”
Dr Thomas Waite, of Public Health England, advised: “Check on friends, family and neighbours who may be at risk and make sure they’re heating homes to at least 18C.”