Orange weather alert in Ireland: "Very dangerous" driving conditions

 

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For the majority of Ireland, a freezing fog weather warning with a level of orange has been issued.

According to Met Eireann, Monday's driving conditions will be "extremely hazardous" due to the persistence of freezing fog, which will be intense in some areas.

For Connacht, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, the forecaster issued the warning on Monday morning.

The warning was supposed to be in effect until midnight.

Temperatures could dip to minus 10C in the following days, so people have been reminded to exercise extra caution on the roads and to check on the elderly.

The National Emergency Coordination Group met on Sunday morning to consider the consequences of Ireland's first cold spell in recent memory.

This week, the group will meet every day to offer guidance.

From Sunday night until noon on Monday, the entire nation was under a status orange low temperature/ice warning.

According to Met Eireann, many places experienced temperatures below minus 5C.

Ireland is under a status yellow low-temperature warning till Friday at noon.

The weatherman said that it will continue to be extremely cold throughout the week with widespread "sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches," and that some hail, sleet, and snow showers would take place, mostly around the coasts.

This will result in hazardous conditions on paths and roads, disruption of travel, the possibility of burst water pipes, and engine damage.

Met Eireann also issued a warning about rising threats to the community's most vulnerable people and problems with animal welfare.

The Road Safety Authority issued a warning to drivers about the risks posed by freezing fog and widespread, severe frost, which could result in slick roadways.