WITH much of the country having snowfalls, the AA has warned drivers to be extremely careful this morning following overnight frost. Today is expected to be dry and bitterly cold, with widespread severe ground frost and extensive icy stretches on roads.
As yet there appears to be little threat to the weekend's major domestic sporting event - Saturday's rugby international at Lansdowne Road between Ireland and Italy.
In Britain, six people died in the past two days in accidents linked to the cold. Four died in car accidents, one was found in a frozen pond and one from a heart attack while trying to dig his car out of snow. The south of England suffered the coldest temperatures yesterday, with Kent registering a record low of minus 21C.
The bad weather in Britain and the continent led to delays on some flights from Irish airports yesterday but Aer Lingus reported no major problems. A Bus Eireann spokesman said delays in bus services were slight. Today will be busier as more people return to work following the holiday.
Sports fixtures have been badly affected, with most horse racing meetings cancelled. The Punchestown meeting, rearranged for today after being postponed on New Year's Eve, also fell victim to the weather.
There is no immediate sign of an end to the cold spell. Met Eireann says temperatures will be well below normal, with the coldest weather in the midlands and south today. Snow and severe overnight frosts are expected at the weekend and into the beginning of next week.
Householders have been advised to take extra care with water pipes. The Hibernian Insurance Company has said people going away from home should turn off and drain their hot and cold water systems and refill them slowly to avoid airlocks on their return.
Exposed pipes and tanks should be insulated, leaving the underside of the attic tank free so that heat can reach it. If pipes are frozen, water should be turned off at the main stopcock. To thaw pipes, use hairdryers or hot water bottles, not a blow lamp or heat gun.