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| Coolaney, Co Sligo this morning. Pic by Val Robus |
Met Eireann issued an updated Severe Weather warning this morning. It has warned of very cold wintry weather continuing into next week with ice by day and by night. Further snow showers today, mainly in Connacht, Ulster and West Munster. Total accumulations up to lunchtime today 5 to 10 cm over Ulster and Connacht, worst on high ground, with possibly some drifting, but totals of 2-5 cm elsewhere. Met Eireann says it expects a second more significant snow event is expected to occur later today and for a time tonight, with widespread snowfall. A band of heavy snow is expected to spread across the country from the west and northwest. Further totals of 10-15cm possible, with all areas at risk.
AA Roadwatch is reporting very icy conditions, especially to the northwest of the country where snow is making conditions very slippery. xtreme care is needed throughout Co. Sligo, especially on the N16 Sligo/Manorhamilton from Glencar to Blacklion (Cavan) and the Sligo-Ballintogher Rd. * The N17/Tubbercurry/Achonry Rd is closed due to poor weather conditions. * Gallows Hill in Sligo Town should be avoided. * Connaughton Rd and Carraroe R/A are treacherous. In Galway extremely poor conditions are reported on The Leenane/Maam Cross Rd (R336). *DERRY* Conditions are treacherous across the county. *ANTRIM* Roads are very bad in Belfast city, extreme are required. MORE from AA Roadwatch
Aer Lingus said this morning that it is experiencing some disruption to its services today due to severe weather conditions across continental Europe, according to breakingnews.ie. Amsterdam airport has been closed resulting in the cancellation of two flights from Dublin and Cork this morning.
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| Killarney at 10am today. Pic by dawnymac74 |
Northern Ireland is facing the cold prospect of virtually constant snowfall today after being transformed into a winter wonderland once again last night, reports The Belfast Telegraph. The Met Office had a severe weather warning in place with up to 8ins of snow predicted to fall overnight.
The new cold snap predicted by meteorologists for Ireland hit the north, parts of the midlands, north Leinster and west Munster from late yesterday. Heavy snow fell as the new weather band swept down from the north-west. Now Met Eireann is warning that gale-force freezing winds could create blizzards across the entire country, reports The Journal. http://www.thejournal.ie/snow-to-return-today-according-to-weather-warning-2010-12/
Families across the country are facing the prospect of Santa not arriving in time for Christmas – thanks to the freezing weather, reports The Mirror. A backlog of around four million parcels ordered online has ¬developed as carriers struggle to ¬overcome the snow and ice – and with the second big freeze ¬gripping Britain it will only get worse.
Grit Supplied To Local Communities In Clare
Grit Supplied To Local Communities In Clare
China plans to step up a weather-manipulation programme that has stirred debate about tinkering with Mother Nature, state media told AFP today. Zheng Guoguang, director of the China Meteorological Administration, said chronic water shortages in parts of the country will worsen in the decades ahead and "thus we need to control the weather," Xinhua news agency reported.
Eery Lake Erie landscape as a lighthouse is completely covered in snow and ice:
Winter Checklist (from the HSE):
• Ensure you have adequate stocks of food in stock – include some tinned and frozen foods so that you do not have to shop every day and have hot drinks throughout the day.
• Eat regular hot meals; exercise sensibly and dress warmly.
• Ensure that you wear flat shoes with a good grip if you are walking on icy paths; always wear a hat and gloves in cold weather.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets when walking on icy paths.
• Keep your main living area and bedroom heated; the Keep Warm and Well Booklet contains a temperature chart to advise the correct temperature.
• If you are on prescription drugs, make sure you have enough to get you through the bad weather.
• Take steps to stay well – get a seasonal flu jab.
• Keep warm and save money on your heating bills by improving your insulation, heating systems and being energy efficient.
Copies of the booklet are available from the HSE Information Line 1850 2 1850 and is available online at www.hse.ie
