More cold, wintry weather on way

The country's weather this weekend will be very cold and wintry, with snow accumulating in some areas, Met Éireann has warned today.

The service advised that from late tomorrow and through the weekend, snow showers will affect north Connacht, Donegal and eastern counties of Leinster, with accumulations of three to five centimetres at times in areas below 250 metres.

This snow accumulation will be mainly at night, with occasional thawing likely by day.

In the country as a whole, there will be heavy ground frosts at night, leading to ice formation on damp and untreated surfaces.

Highest temperatures over the weekend are expected to be between one and four degrees of Saturday to 0 to 2 on Sunday. The nights will see temperatures drop to between minus 3 and minus 5 and possibly lower. Dry and bright weather is forecast for further inland.

According to Met Éireann forecaster Joan Blackburn, the cold snap currently being experienced was "a little unusual but not extraordinary," noting this time last year saw the aftermath of widespread flooding in the country.

She said long-range forecasts indicated the cold regime will last for at least a week and possibly extend to two weeks.

The northern and eastern parts of the country will be most affected by northerly cold winds feeding over Ireland combined with a low pressure area over the continent.

The icy conditions on roads have prompted warnings from AA Roadwatch for drivers to take care. The organisation has urged caution, particularly in the mornings, when frost, ice and freezing fog are expected. Those taking to the road are advised to allocate extra time for all trips.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has advised motorists to check tyres, including the spare wheel, and replace them if the tread depth falls below 3mm. It also advised drivers to carry a screen scraper and de-icer, to ensure the windshield washer system contains anti-icing fluid. and to use dipped headlights.

Motorists were also advised to watch out for black ice, caused by drops of mist or rain freezing on the road.

Snow fell in parts of Wicklow, and gardaí cleared two crashes and reopened Rathdrum to traffic earlier today. Conditions were icy on the Rathdrum to Laragh road where surface water froze outside Rathdrum. There were also a high number of incidents on Limerick roads earlier due to the conditions, AA Roadwatch said.

Last January, the State saw its worst cold snap in decades, causing widespread disruption after councils struggled to grit roads and pavements due to a shortage of salt.

According to Sean O'Neill of the National Roads Authority (NRA), the State has "more than ample" supplies of rock salt for gritting following the difficulties experienced earlier this year.

Mr O'Neill said 80,000 tonnes of salt was purchased in bulk by the NRA, comprising 55,000 tonnes at storage locations countrywide and the rest outside the State. He noted there was also 25,000 tonnes of earlier surplus supplies.

Mr O'Neill said the authority conducted regular reviews with local authorities on maintaining adequate supplies and said the State's average year's usage of salt was some 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes. He added the fact the salt was bought in bulk and off-peak meant a "much better price" was obtained.

The Age Action charity has urged people to stay in contact with their older neighbours and for people to take basic steps to protect themselves and ensure they remain well and warm in their homes.

"It is important that everyone plays their part to ensure that those who are frail or house-bound remain safe and well over this period," spokesman Eamon Timmins said.

"We are reminding people to call in on their older neighbours to ensure they have enough fuel and basics such as milk and bread. Older people can also play their part by keeping in telephone contact with each other and with their family and neighbours."

In the United Kingdom, motorists battled hazardous conditions on the roads as the widest-spread November snowfall for 17 years hits the country.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings, flagging up drifting snow for the eastern side of the country as well as parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Worst-hit were the Scottish Highlands, with up to eight inches of snow forecast to settle in Grampian - along with Yorkshire, north east England and East Anglia.