Forget about the joys of spring this week as wintry temperatures persist

SPRING HAS been put on hold for the rest of this week, with Met Éireann predicting further wintry temperatures, sleet and snow in parts of the country.

Temperatures were expected to drop to -5 degrees in places last night, and motorists were advised to proceed with caution this morning as widespread frost is predicted, especially in central and northern areas.

Harsh, easterly winds are likely to make conditions feel even colder as the week goes on, and temperatures will remain very low, with further frosty nights and daytime temperatures climbing to just 6-7 degrees.

Although a temperature of -6.6 degrees was recorded at Dublin airport on Sunday night, conditions are unlikely to reach anything close to the extreme levels they did last month.

Met Éireann forecaster Deirdre Lowe said there was no sign of spring-like weather on the horizon.

Today, a severe weather front, which has been passing over Britain recently, is forecast to reach the south coast. It is expected to bring bouts of rain, sleet and snow as it moves over Ireland in the coming days.

Ms Lowe said the front would affect much of Munster and south Leinster today, and snow was likely over higher ground and inland areas tonight, with temperatures unlikely to rise above 2- 5 degrees.

She said the front would edge northwards tomorrow, resulting in severe frosts and further rain, sleet and potentially snow. “The forecast for Thursday and Friday still looks cold and unsettled.”