Wintry conditions forecast to ease

This week will be “less wintry” than last with snow not expected to make another appearance, according to Met Éireann.

This week will be “less wintry” than last with snow not expected to make another appearance, according to Met Éireann.

However, it will remain cold with temperatures not expected to rise above 8 degrees during the day and severe frosts expected at night when temperatures fall to -2 degrees.

Untreated roads, particularly in the east of the country, will be extremely hazardous tomorrow and Wednesday mornings, and motorists are asked to exercise extreme caution.

The second half of the week will bring more settled weather with milder temperatures and light winds forecast for Thursday before frost returns to most areas on Friday night.

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The PSNI has warned of treacherous road conditions across Northern Ireland after a 26-year-old man was killed and two others injured in a car crash in Co Tyrone this morning. Snow and freezing fog have made conditions particularly difficult for drivers.

AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to be particularly careful on secondary roads and high ground in parts of Leinster, Ulster and Connacht. Speed should be reduced and a safe distance maintained from the car in front.

Two Dublin Bus routes have been curtailed due to icy road conditions. The 44B to Glencullen is only operating as far as Kilternan and the number 65 to Ballymore is stopping at Valleymount. A spokesman for Dublin Bus said the restrictions would remain in place until weather conditions improved.

Flights at the country’s airports are operating normally after last week’s snow caused Dublin airport to close for eight hours on Thursday and the cancellation of more than 170 flights.

City of Derry airport was forced to close for a period yesterday afternoon because of heavy snow on the runway but a spokeswoman confirmed the airport is now operating as normal.

Severe weather at the weekend caused the cancellation of many sports events including racing at Leopardstown. The Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup will now be held next Sunday.

Forecasters are expecting this winter could be one of the coldest on record, especially in the east, where Dublin has already experienced its coldest December and January for 18 years. February, regarded as a winter month by Met Éireann, has experienced well below average temperatures so far.