Met Éireann has indicated that there will not be a thaw on Thursday as the cold snap takes hold.
Liz Coleman, the deputy head of forecasting at Met Éireann, told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne that a band of rain has “shifted southwards” and snowfall is now being reported in parts of Limerick and Cork.
“So not much in the way of thaw today. A lot of icy stretches and dangerous conditions on the road particularly when the sun sets.
“We ask people not to go out if it is not necessary. There are a lot of untreated roads out there.”
A nationwide status yellow low temperature and ice warning has been extended, and will remain in effect until Friday at midday.
Cork County Council says that heavy rain overnight has transitioned to sleet and snow, leading to dangerous driving conditions across the county. The worst affected areas include Newmarket, Rockchapel, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Macroom, Millstreet and Coachford.
Council crews carried out pre-emptive gritting overnight and have been repeating salting and gritting since early this morning. Snow ploughs have also been deployed where required and crews are progressing on a priority basis.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged motorists in impacted areas to “avoid unnecessary trips.”
Spokesperson for the RSA, David Martin, told Newstalk that drivers should remove ice from windows and mirrors with a screen scraper instead of hot water.
“If you do have to go out and use your car, first of all remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before you start off.
“You don’t want any snow on the roof becoming loose and dropping onto your windscreen.
“If you do need to go out exercise extreme caution. It is going to be icy for the next 24 hours at least.”
Cyclists are are being advised to wear high-visibility clothing and to make sure their bike lights are working.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says weather conditions will be “much milder” from tomorrow (Friday) night in to Saturday. However wet and windy conditions could see a “potential storm moving across Ireland throughout the weekend.”
“We need to keep a close eye on that as well as the cold spell because it will change very quickly.”
‘Treacherous’ conditions
Met Éireann has warned motorists and commuters to take care on the roads following a “bitterly cold treacherous start” to the morning.
Siobhan Ryan of Met Éireann told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 that weather conditions have unfolded “pretty much as was forecast”.
“We have got lying snow across many parts of the Midlands and West and particularly over Mayo and Galway. Actually, the wintry mix and sleet and snow is currently mainly in over the southwest and the south of Ireland and it’s still transitioning into snow over parts of the south of Munster at present. And actually there are some pools of heavy water in across southern most fringes.
“So for the main, actually, it’s dry a lot of dry weather across the northern half the country, but frosty and icy like I said, lying snow primarily for the Midlands, West and the Midlands. And that wintry mix then continuing to affect the South and southwest for a few hours.”
Ms Ryan said that conditions will remain treacherous over the next few hours before gradually improving as the day goes on.
Snow also fell in Limerick and in Clare overnight. Particularly impacted areas include Newcastle West, Adare and Patrickswell, Doonbeg, Kilkee and Milltown Mallbay. Whilst conditions are challenging, most routes are passable.
Ireland
Will it snow in your area? Check map here as Met É…
Cork has been hit by more snow than rain with large downpours in the city and county overnight. However, snow is falling in parts of Co Cork including Mallow, Kanturk and Bottle Hill. Flights at Cork Airport have continued to depart and land on schedule.
In Kerry, motorists are being urged to avoid the N69 Tralee to Listowel Road at Glenoe which is closed west of the Bog Village. A large amount of snow has fallen on the N21 between Abbeyfeale and Castleisland. Crews from the local authority are currently ploughing and salting the area.
Conditions are also difficult in Galway, where heavy snow fell during the night. A single vehicle accident occurred near Junction 14 on the westbound carriageway between Loughrea and Athenry.
Some roads in Connemara are impassable and delays have been reported on the Ballinsloe exits on the motorway following an accident.
