Met Eireann has confirmed that Monday was the coldest day witnessed in Ireland for over a decade, as temperatures plunged to as low as -7 degrees overnight in parts of the country.
The brutal cold snap has resulted in widespread ice and fog throughout the country, leading to disruptions not witnessed in years. Met Eireann revealed in provisional data that temperatures rival those reported during the big snow of 2010, which saw temperatures drop to as low as -10 degrees.
However, the biting cold is likely to remain in place over the next few days. The forecast suggests that temperatures could reach between -7 and -10 degrees in certain areas on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, as the Arctic blast continues to envelop Ireland.
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A Status Yellow weather warning for low temperatures and ice supports these predictions, which is effective until midday on Friday. The cold spell will likely dwindle away following the weekend.
While temperatures will thaw next week, Met Eireann warns of stormier conditions, as heavy rainfall and winds are predicted to occur. Average temperatures next week will range from 10 to 12 degrees.
Met Eireann continues to remind the public about the dangers posed by the cold spell. Icy conditions are widespread and are a significant hazard for both roads and footpaths.
Meanwhile, the Irish Coast Guard has strongly advised people to stay away from frozen bodies of water amid plummeting temperatures. Dublin Fire Brigade also urged parents to keep their children away from water following the tragic deaths of three boys in the UK, who became submerged in a frozen lake over the weekend.
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