Motorists have been warned that plunging temperatures and further sleet and snow showers tonight may leave roads in a treacherous condition tomorrow morning.
Met Éireann has issued a severe weather alert warning of frost in all areas overnight, as well as sleet and snow showers in Ulster, parts of Connaught and in north Leinster later tonight and along the east coast before morning.
Up to four centimetres of snow is possible, the meteorological service warning said.
AA Roadwatch said many areas in the Wicklow and Dublin mountains did not thaw out today and will freeze again tonight. “Drivers are urged to heed these warnings, stay alert and vigilant for potentially icy stretches and carefully consider any journeys in Ulster, north Connaught and Leinster, especially the east coast”, said advised AA Roadwatch Controller.
“You could try and leave your journey until after 10am, when roads are more likely to have thawed and improved from constant use,” she added.
Poor weather conditions continued to cause major traffic disruption today in a number of areas around the country.
In Dublin, the Chapelizod and Conyngham roads reopened following severe flooding, but the North Road in Phoenix Park remained flooded.
In Wicklow, difficult driving conditions were reported in Bray, where Old Connaught avenue was impassable due to flooding. The Wicklow Gap, Sally Gap and Roundwood were impassable today following heavy snow and extreme care is advised on all back roads.
Two Dutch tourists were rescued from their car near Killakee last night after becoming trapped in deep snow. A Mountain Rescue team and gardaí freed them using a tractor.
Four Dublin men in three separate vehicles were reported stranded near the Sally Gap. Specialist Garda teams driving 4X4 vehicles were unable to get to the men overnight. Snow was up to 1.5 metres deep in places and the road was completely obscured.
Tow mountain rescuers on skis brought them food and blankets early this morning and the men were eventually airlifted by Coastguard helicopter from the mountain.
ESB lines fell in Rathdown and Glendalough, where 51 premises, mainly homes, are still without power. An ESB spokesman said the power cut was caused by problems with the overhead network, but that power would be restored in homes by 3pm.
Heavy snow has resulted in dangerous driving conditions in many parts of counties Westmeath, Cork and Clare.
Iarnród Éireann are advising customers that Dart services to Greystones and Gorey commuter and Rosslare Intercity services face disruption due to rockfall at Bray Head. Gorey commuter services and Rosslare Intercity services will be partly substituted by bus, while bus transfers will operate between Bray and Greystones for all Dart services.
Iarnród Éireann said the section of rail between Bray and Greystones may be shut for several weeks. A second landslide at an embankment south of Arklow has further disrupted services.
Some flight delays can also be expected today due to the bad weather, with passengers advised to check with airlines before setting out on journeys. Ryanair flight FR117 from London-LGW due in to Dublin at 6.45pm has been delayed until 1am.