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Arctic blast causes flight and traffic chaos in Ireland - SEE PHOTOS

Airports close and more snow forecast in big freeze

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 7:01 AM

Updated Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 7:18 AM

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Europe is almost grounded: Ryanair plane covered in snow

SEE PHOTOS - Ireland's big freeze

With Christmas just four days away people across Europe are battling to spend the holiday season with their loved ones however planes continue to be grounded by the continuing snow and freezing temperatures.

European flight control, EuroControl, said that major disruptions in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London has causing major delays and cancellations to flights across Europe.

Thousands are stranded all across Europe with no way of getting home. Forecasters believe that this heavy cold and snowy weather is likely to last until St Stephen’s Day in Britain.

In Ireland airports remain open and are now working through the backlog of flights accumulated of the last few days. British Airways had announced that it will have to cancel some of its services from London Heathrow as the airport is operating with just one of its two runways today.

Last night some Dublin commuters reported that it took five hours to get home yesterday evening with delays in transport until midnight last night. It is expected to remain the same on Tuesday for commuters.

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jacersagain | Dec 27, 2010, 12:22 PM EST

@Searlit - Shucks, you have a lovely way of writing and thinking... you should post more often on IrishCentral. I agree with what you say but my country demands that I go to work even in bad white snowy slippery slushy weather – standard tyres or none. PS – a huge fast thaw has set in Ireland today... I can see the green fields of my beloved Erin once more.

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jacersagain | Dec 27, 2010, 12:19 PM EST

@ S7McCabe – oh yes! We do have a much milder climate than elsewhere in the world. It’s one of the whys that we who are blessed with sense choose to stay and live in Ireland. In fact, apart from last January’s cold blast, we have not had such freezing weather since, I think, 1982. Back then there were lots of babies made. I wonder how many babies have been conceived in the warm “leabai” in Ireland this cold December. Will the parish churches be ready for the huge influx of Baptism calls in a month’s time? Will schools be ready to accept the rush of them in four or five years’ time? Will the property market in Ireland recover in time to house the snow babies of 2010 in 25 yrs time? *Chuckling*

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S7McCabe | Dec 22, 2010, 10:01 PM EST

I always thought you had a more mild climate than we do. Guess I was wrong.

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Searlit | Dec 22, 2010, 07:53 PM EST

Sorry, jacersagain, I'm just concerned for all you drivers out there, and the chidren playing. The ice can be so treacherous. Will they let you use all-weather radial tires? That's what most of us have here in the states. I know nothing but chains really help on the ice, but remember to steer in the direction of the skid, if it happens. I mean that toward people who have no experience driving in these conditions. Don't over steer or slam on the brakes, pump and glide, my friends. Don't even try to drive, if the roads aren't salted!

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Pittsburghkid | Dec 21, 2010, 10:24 PM EST

Global Warming has been changed to Climate Change to accomadate situations like this. Regardless you are going to have to pay a carbon tax, because Liberals need more tax money.

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jacersagain | Dec 21, 2010, 08:11 PM EST

It’s very kind of Americans like Searlit, used to winter closedowns, to offer advice to us in Ireland for snow drives and we thank you for that. It doesn’t work. I’ve been wiping banked-up fresh snow off my car before going to work for Ireland every morning and again every evening before going home to me warm turf fire and discovered enough thick ice under it that any Smirnoff fan would love to have for their Christmas drinks. Actually, I think I’ll carry a hot Smirnoff (or Irish whiskey) in my slow-traffic coffee-supping car flask on me journeys to work these days. The law is an ass in Ireland – we are not allowed to use snow or winter tyres because it invalidates our motor insurance policies on account of “materially changing” the car’s standard specification. In the event of a simple accident, even if I “tóg go bog é” as Searlit kindly suggests, such as slowly sliding into the kerbside and breaking a wheel off or worse, I’d have no right to claim compensation. Sheesh!

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JBRAFTREE | Dec 21, 2010, 05:37 PM EST

Sounds alot like winter in Chicago. Hopefully, for you all, the weather you are experiencing will not last for months. Hang in there. Pull some pints, and relax and hope it will go away.

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Searlit | Dec 21, 2010, 04:02 PM EST

I feel for the people in Ireland and the rest of Europe. You seem to be getting the weather, usually reserved for New England, at this time of year. It's pretty cold here in Southern New England, but we haven't seen a real snowstorm yet, only a few flurries. We 'Yanks' are , at least practiced in how to hunker down, drive slow and take it easy. Stay warm agus Tog bog e.

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IrishColleen50 | Dec 21, 2010, 11:54 AM EST

I feel for these people my prayers are with all of them during this i pray for the safety and well being of everytone who is connected to this whether it be through being there or have a loved one who is stranded !

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antoman | Dec 21, 2010, 11:07 AM EST

I done the splits this morning coming back from the shop.Have'nt done that for like 30 odd years.

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carrickcourt | Dec 21, 2010, 10:20 AM EST

"I'm dreaming of a White Irish Christmas".

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haikued2 | Dec 21, 2010, 09:21 AM EST

Shades of Chicago or Buffalo winters.

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Towngate | Dec 21, 2010, 07:43 AM EST

Its melting away here at Heathrow this Tuesday afternoon and won't be around much longer. The is normally a take-off or landing every 14 SECONDS it is a wonder the show ever had a chance to settle in the first place! Roll on Spring! - and all those lovely Ryanair flights.

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