Arctic conditions leave a blanket of snow around country

Arctic weather gripped parts of the country yesterday with cold temperatures set to continue for the rest of the week. Snow is not forecast for the next few days but there will be frost and icy patches in most areas.

Parts of the country affected by heavy snow included counties Cavan, Monaghan, Drogheda, Wicklow town, Greystones, Navan, Kells, Kilkenny city and Longford town. Snow was also reported in Carlow, Louth, Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Wicklow and Wexford.

Coastal areas were hit by strong to gale-force westerly winds, gusting to between 75 and 110km/h.

Heavy snow caused traffic disruption and forced the closure of more than 30 schools in Northern Ireland. The Meteorological Office issued a warning of winds reaching speeds of 105km/h in coastal areas of the North last night.

As biting rain replaced the early morning and overnight snowfalls yesterday the Met Office warned motorists to be careful about strong gusts and of the danger of falling trees. Motorists have been warned to be alert to black ice on the roads.

Meteorologist Pat Clarke said the cold snap would continue. “There will be a cold start to today with frost and icy patches in most areas. Temperatures are set to drop to about 5 to 8 degrees. It will be bright but less windy.

“A band of rain will move in on Thursday, which may turn to sleet. It will be dry day on Friday mostly, apart from showers. It will also be mostly dry on Saturday, but there will be rain that night into Sunday.”