Drivers are being warned of “treacherous” road conditions over the coming days.
A Met Eireann weather warning for low temperatures and ice is in place nationwide until Friday.
Temperatures will drop as low as -7C tonight, with severe frost, ice, freezing fog and wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow all forecast for the coming days. This means motorists will have frosted or icy windscreens to deal with.
READ MORE: How to drive in freezing fog as Irish motorists warned of ‘treacherous’ road conditions
Many defrosting hacks have been circulating online, including using homemade concoctions or unusual items to clear the frost.
However warnings have been issued about one common trick that can cause severe damage to vehicles.
The Road Safety Authority of Ireland today warned motorists: “Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.”
While expert Olly Jones, who co-founded the automotive industry Elmo, described it as a “bad idea”.
He told Express: “Putting boiling water on your windscreen is a really bad idea. Putting boiling water on any type of glass can cause little cracks to form and can worsen existing cracks - and windscreens are no exception.
“If your windscreen has been hit by a stone you are at risk of massively worsening that crack. Cracked windscreens can be expensive and take time to fix. The best way to defrost your windscreen is by not allowing ice to form in the first place.”
It comes as Met Eireann extended a nationwide double weather warning until Friday in an unusual move.
It means the Status Yellow alert for both low temperatures and ice, which was first issued on Saturday, will now last an entire week.
Met Eireann said: “Remaining very cold through the week with widespread sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches. Some showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur, mainly near coasts. Accumulations at lower levels are expected to remain low. Freezing fog will occur at times, with winds remaining light over land.
“Possible impacts include:
- Treacherous conditions on paths and roads
- Travel disruption
- Potential supply disruption
- Potential for burst water pipes and damage to engines
- Increased risks to vulnerable members of the community
- Animal welfare issues
- Slack winds over land leading to reduced wind power generation."
A more extreme Status Orange warning for low temperatures and ice kicks in at 5pm and lasts until noon on Monday. The nationwide alert reads: “A severe frost and further icy stretches will set in on Sunday night, accompanied by patches of freezing fog. Temperatures likely to fall below -5C in many areas.”
A third weather warning for snow and ice has also been issued for Donegal and Mayo. The Status Yellow alert, which lasts from 11.30pm until noon on Monday, reads: “Showers of sleet and snow Sunday night and Monday morning, falling as rain near the coast, may lead to accumulations in places.”
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