Snow is falling in many parts of Ireland, particularly in Connacht and Ulster, and continues to make road conditions difficult for motorists.
Most of the country will escape further snowfall, after many regions experienced wintry showers today. However, there is a chance of more snowfall in days to come.
Met Éireann meteorologist Joan Blackburn warned that commuters tomorrow morning will wake up to a “poor enough scene”.
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Snow showers that in particular affected Dublin city centre, Cavan, Monaghan, parts of north Louth, and Leitrim today are "expected to continue through the night".
“As the night goes on, the snow will be confined to higher ground,” she said.
Driving conditions
AA Roadwatch says snow is a problem on many roads in Donegal, particularly around Letterkenny, Donegal town, Buncrana and Milford. Slush is also causing problems on roads in the Glenties, Meenaroy and Ardara regions. The back of Errigal Road and Harry Blaney Bridge are also closed.
Sally Gap in Co Wicklow is reportedly impassable on all routes, and Gardaí are advising motorists to avoid the area.
Gardaí are advising motorists to avoid Gráinnes Gap, though Barnesmore is passable with care.
In Co Louth there was a crash on the Dundalk to Carrickmacross road , while conditions have been described as “treacherous” along the Dundalk to Castleblayney Road.
A fallen trees is blocking the Celbridge Road in Co Kildare and drivers are advised to avoiding the area.
In Co Westmeath, there are reports of bad driving conditions along the M4 Dublin/Sligo.
In Co Cork black ice has been reported on the M8 southbound between Mitchelstown and Fermoy.
Significant delays have been reported this evening on the M50 in Dublin.
Weather forecast
Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for Co Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare, and a Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Co Cavan, Monaghan and all of Leinster.
The forecast for tonight is strong northwest winds mainly affecting the west and northwest coasts. Heavy rain and sleet showers will spread southwards early tonight, with some snowfall expected on higher ground in the north and the east of the country.
Winds will ease and conditions will clear later on tonight. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 2 degrees C, with icy patches expected in some areas.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland traffic was disrupted and dozens of schools were closed on Thursday due to heavy snow across parts of the North.
A number of bus services were also disrupted while some minor roads were impassable as a result of heavy snow showers.
Numerous schools were closed with counties Antrim, Down, Armagh and Tyrone the worst affected.
Rain due later on Thursday was expected to start a thaw although further snowy and icy conditions are expected in Northern Ireland at the weekend.
The PSNI warned motorists to exercise caution and to allow extra time their journeys. “Slow down and leave plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you,” police advised in a statement.
The police’s general advice added: “Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock, ease off the brakes. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists and always clear all ice and snow off the car windows before setting out.
“Drive slowly on snow in the highest gear possible. Never overtake snowploughs or gritting lorries. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
“Do not assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.”
Power cuts
There is also a major power outage around the Castleblayney and Ballybay areas of Co Monaghan, with around 1,700 homes without electricity.
Faults have also been reported in Gorey, Co Wexford, the Ballinamore and Carrick-on-Shannon areas of Co Leitrim, in Glin, Co Limerick, and in Kilcar, Carrick, Glencolmcille, Stranorlar and Ballybofey in Co Donegal.
