Freezing conditions are set to continue

THE very cold weather will continue over the weekend, with "nothing significantly mild coming ill yet", according to a Met Eireann spokesman. He predicted "really difficult driving conditions" throughout the country over the coming days.

The AA has advised motorists to "drive with extreme care, particularly on back roads".

Snow showers are expected today in Ulster, north Connacht, and the coastal counties of Leinster. Elsewhere, it will be mostly dry and very cold, with widespread sharp and severe local frost.

Snow already on the ground is not expected to thaw significantly over coming days. It may be slightly less cold in some areas tomorrow and Sunday, which could result in roads being "treacherous", according to Met Eireann.

Freezing fog, prevalent in parts of the west and the west midlands yesterday and last night, is expected to become widespread over the weekend, especially at night. This fog yesterday resulted in the diversion of several flights away from Dublin airport to Shannon and Belfast.

The areas worst affected by ice and snow yesterday were in east Leinster, extending north to Dundalk, and inland as far as Athlone. In Dublin, the east of the city was clear but the western suburbs were badly affected, with the Lucan road reported dangerous with long delays.

The Lucan/Maynooth road was also hit, getting worse going westwards towards Rathowen, Co Longford. Side roads in the midlands, where the snowfalls have been substantial, were bad around Portlaoise, Carlow, and Athlone.

The Naas road was also in poor condition, while the Dublin and Wicklow mountains were very icy, with bad patches on roads around Enniskerry, Rathdrum and Roundwood.

In Cork, there were no major problems in the city centre but very bad driving conditions were reported from Bandon, Clonakilty and around Courtmacsherry in west Cork. There were also bad icy patches on the outskirts of Limerick and Galway cities.

Conditions in northern parts are expected to deteriorate today.