By Caitrina Cody
Wednesday October 29 2008
SNOW, frost and sleet will hit the country this week as winter arrives early.
It may still be October but a bitter cold snap, which saw temperatures drop well below zero last night, means it's time to dig out the winter woollies.
Frost and icy patches will make roads treacherous, especially on high ground.
A Met Eireann spokesman confirmed there is a strong possibility of snow in high-altitude areas along parts of the east coast.
"The Wicklow Mountains may get some snow over the next couple of days. Low-lying land will probably just be damp and wet."
He warned people travelling by night to wrap up warm. "The temperature at night could definitely drop below zero -- to between minus two and minus four degrees.
"We'll see lots of dry, clear weather at night, particularly over the weekend, so that's when we'll see the coldest temperatures."
Widespread
Met Eireann warned that showers in the north and west of Ireland could turn to sleet and snow and that there will be widespread frost around the country for the rest of the week.
"There will be frost and possibly some black ice on the roads. Commuters should take it day by day and be aware of the dangers."
Parts of Ireland already saw snow yesterday, with flurries hitting the North.
The children of Newtownabbey, Co Antrim were having a ball yesterday as streets and parks were transformed into a winter wonderland.
The first snows herald the beginning of the seriously cold weather for all of Ireland.
Today, forecasters say, the rain from the western counties will spread eastwards with a possibility of outbreaks of snow and sleet ahead of the showers.
Temperatures will stay stubbornly below nine degrees so scarves and gloves will be needed.
The rest of the week will stay very cold, with frosty conditions lasting over the weekend, and a danger of icy patches forming on the country's roads. Strong north-easterly winds arriving on Thursday will die down on Friday with some sunny intervals on both days.
Trick-or-treaters will need winter coats as well as their costumes this Friday night as they head out to claim their goodies, although the night is expected to stay clear.
The AA is advising motorists to allow extra time to defrost their window screens this week as the cold spell persists.
- Caitrina Cody
http://www.independent.ie/weather/downh ... 11915.html
