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| Ireland and the UK from space on Wed 15 Dec 2010. Pic NASA. |
Many roads which were gritted during the recent cold snap will not be cleared this weekend, when the arctic weather is due to return, reports TV3. Local authorities have been told to drastically cut the amount of salt they are using. The Irish Times reports that Ballyshannon installed its own salt and grit bunkers around several estates. The borough council imported 13 massive bunkers so residents can clear their own ice and snow. The town is believed to be the first in Ireland to import its own road and pavement clearing material. MORE
A Met Éireann severe weather alert remains in force with a return of snowy conditions forecast for most areas of the country over the next few days, according to RTE. MORE
Northern Ireland is braced for another spell of severe wintry weather, with heavy snow forecast to fall right across the country on Friday, reports the BBC. The Met Office has issued a weather warning which will be in force from noon on Thursday until 1800 on Friday. MORE
Airports, rail companies and breakdown services are preparing for a new wave of snow and icy conditions which are expected to hit Britain this morning, reports Sky News. Temperatures plummeted overnight, causing widespread ice and snow showers in Scotland and on the west coast. MORE
Holly with berries could be in short supply this Christmas because birds are feeding off the trees during the snowy weather. MORE
Bad weather is hampering the search for asylum seekers who were thrown into the ocean when their wooden boat was wrecked on rocks off Christmas Island yesterday, reports ABC. This morning the Federal Government said up to 100 people may have been on the boat which was smashed to pieces on rocks near Flying Fish Cove. MORE
PLANT CITY, Florida, USA -- Farmers around the state are still assessing how this week's cold weather affected crops, as forecasts call for rising temperatures for the next few days. Florida AP reports that tropical fish and strawberry farmers in central Florida reported some losses Wednesday, but the full extent of the cold damage won't be known for a few weeks. Citrus growers were more optimistic, saying that they avoided a citrus freeze, which requires a temperature of 28 degrees or lower for at least four hours. MORE
