TEMPERATURES MAY reach 11 degrees in some parts of the country today, but the reprieve from the cold snap is likely to be short-lived.
Met Éireann says an approaching band of heavy rain will bring further cold and unsettled weather for the rest of the week.
A cold, frosty and mainly dry start to today is predicted. A band of rain will then spread northeastwards across the country, which could cause falls of sleet or snow. Southerly winds will strengthen, which should lead to milder temperatures of between five to 11 degrees.
It will become progressively colder tomorrow, with daytime temperatures of between one and four degrees. “Thursday will bring a return to cold windy weather with sunshine and showers, some wintry,” a Met Éireann spokeswoman said. “There is a chance of more widespread rain, sleet and snow later in the day.”
AA Roadwatch yesterday said that driving conditions remained very dangerous in parts of Leitrim, Wicklow, Laois and Donegal.
More than four inches of snow fell in Co Donegal on Monday night, which resulted in the closure of more than 60 schools yesterday. A number of schools also closed in Derry. Scores of cars had to be abandoned in the Letterkenny area on Monday evening.