Temperatures are plummeting across Ireland as heavy snow brings the country to a halt.
Motorists have been advised to restrict driving to necessary journeys only as a blanket of snow falls.
The freezing temperatures have also grounded many flights and forced ferry companies to cancel and delay sailings.
Weather experts have warned that the bad weather will lead to further disruption for travellers as snow and freezing temperatures spread across Europe
Already Aer Lingus has cancelled flights between Milan, Munich, London, Dublin and Cork. Ryanair flights are also affected.
London’s Heathrow airport has cut flights by 10 per cent with more disruptions on the way as conditions worsen at other European airports.
Some 40 per cent of flights in and out of the two main airports on the outskirts of Paris, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, have been cancelled.
Up to 6 inches of snow fell on the Dingle Peninsula overnight and AA Roadwatch has advised motorists to avoid the Conor Pass.
Hazardous conditions have also been reported in Monaghan, Wicklow and Cavan.
Ireland’s weather service Met Éireann has predicted outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow affecting south-western areas.
Night-time temperatures could plunge as low as -6C overnight while daytime temperatures will vary around 1C to 4C over the coming week.
Met Eireann also issued a weather warning, with snow showers expected to coat eastern counties, parts of Ulster and inland areas in Munster with between 3cm and 6cm of snow overnight.
Meteorologist Jean Byrne warned: “It will be very cold most of this week up to and including Thursday night.
“Over the next seven days, the temperatures overall are between 1C and almost 4C below normal.”
3 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.STEVENSTAR | Jan 22, 2013, 06:20 AM EST
NOT TRUE....IM WRITING THIS FROM CO. CORK AREA AND WE HAVE HAD NO SNOW AT ALL ONLY A LITTLE ON THE MOUNTAINS AS A MATTER OF FACT TODAYS LOVELY AND SUNNY AND BLUE SKIES.....WHO WRITES THIS STUFF? ALTHOUGH THE UK ARE COVERED IN SNOW SO MAYBE YOUR GETTING MIXED UP IRISH CENTRAL.....
EphraimKibbey | Jan 22, 2013, 01:12 AM EST
Cincinnati was predicted to get really cold but no-one warned us about the white-out conditions and ice covered interstates that occurred about the same time the President was making his speech today. We had a 50 plus car/semi-truck pile up on I-75 and a 20 plus car/semi-truck pile up on I-275 that killed a 12 year old girl and sent dozens to local hospitals. Be thankful that someone cares enough to warn you. I hope everyone there heeds the warnings and stays safe.
Scrivner | Jan 21, 2013, 05:26 PM EST
Tell me again about global warming....and why the weather doesn't just go in cycles.