Drivers warned to take care as temperatures hit -6.2 degrees

There will be no respite from the cold over the next few days with forecasters predicting snow and sub zero temperatures until the end of the week.

Last night saw the lowest temperatures of the year in many areas, with minimum values of minus four and five commonplace, including a reading of minus 6.2 in Grange, Co Sligo.

On Monday evening the Garda said drivers should be careful because of very low road temperatures across the country especially around Ballina, Crossmolina and Ballymote due to snowfall. Gardaí also warned about conditions on roads around Carlow and Cavan town, Navan, Letterkenny and Castlebar.

“It’s going to be cold for the next few days but getting less cold, particularly later in the week,” said forecaster Joan Blackburn.

Met Éireann says outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will extend further east on Monday night with some accumulations of snow likely in north Leinster and Ulster. In its latest status yellow warning, the State forecaster said: "A band of rain and sleet will extend from the west this evening and tonight, turning to snow at times as it encounters colder air further east and north. This may result in deposits of up to 3cm. in Ulster, north Leinster, and parts of east Connacht, particularly over high ground. Ahead of this precipitation, eastern and northern areas will experience some frost and possibly ice for a time. Later in the night, it will become drier and clearer in western counties, with temperatures falling around dawn and ice forming on untreated surfaces."

Ms Blackburn added: “It’s going to be a cold day again tomorrow, with temperatures a bit higher than today. Those showers in the evening time could be getting a bit wintery again, and you could have some snow showers over higher ground tomorrow night,” she added.

Despite rising temperatures later in the week, the weather will edge towards being “less cold” rather than mild according to Ms Blackburn.

Friday’s weather will dampen the spirits of anyone enjoying the winter wonderland spectacle of recent days, with a band of rain set to cross the country as temperatures return to average for this time of year.

Gardaí and safety authorities have urged people to take extra care and check on elderly neighbours during the cold spell.