Light snow flurries in east Leinster

Light flurries of snow have fallen in parts of the East today with continued subzero temperatures forecast by Met Éireann.

A snow plough clears the roads in Earsdon near Whitley Bay as snow and sleet will hit parts of north England today as freezing winds sweep across Britain. Photograph: PA
A snow plough clears the roads in Earsdon near Whitley Bay as snow and sleet will hit parts of north England today as freezing winds sweep across Britain. Photograph: PA

Light flurries of snow have fallen in parts of the East today with continued subzero temperatures forecast by Met Éireann.

There are reports of light snow across Dublin as well as in Wicklow and Belfast.  The temperature in Dublin was 1 degree at 12.30pm, according to Met Eireann.

AA Roadwatch has this evening advised motorists to avoid both the Wicklow and Sally Gaps following snowfall. It said there was snowfall in Dublin at Dalkey, Carrickmines, Kilcullen, Tallaght, Firhouse, Templeogue and Sandyford.

Met Éireann forecast wintry showers in eastern areas from early afternoon with risk of snow accumulations on higher ground.

It has forecast further wintry showers near Leinster coast tonight, temperatures of -2 to 1 degrees and a sharp frost. Temperatures may fall as low as -3 or -4 in the midlands and west with severe frost where there are cloud breaks, Met Éireann said.

Risk of light snow remains in the east tomorrow when highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.

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Winter weather returned to parts of the UK today with forecasters warning that more snow could be on the way by next weekend.

Snow, cold temperatures and icy winds left much of the country feeling the chill this morning.

Northern England experienced the heaviest snowfalls overnight, with motorists in the Newcastle and Gateshead areas being warned to take care on the icy roads.

In Trafalgar Square, in central London, icicles could be seen hanging from the frozen statues this morning after temperatures plunged.

A forecaster for MeteoGroup said eastern England and Scotland would experience small flurries of snow into tonight and tomorrow before temperatures become milder, with sleet expected tomorrow night and Monday morning.

Light snowfalls are expected in Kent, East Anglia and northern England tomorrow but will mainly be localised to hills in the north.

Next week, northern areas will be dry and bright but the south will experience more cloud and drizzle.

Maximum temperatures over the next couple of days are expected to be around 2 or 3 degrees in England and 4 to 6 degrees in Scotland.

The coldest areas will be in the east and south east, where winds coming in from a north and north-easterly direction will cause cold, breezy conditions.

"We're not going to see spring in any rush," the MeteoGroup forecaster said.

"It looks like next weekend there will be a few snow showers around and no warm, spring-type weather in the next few days."

This morning, police in Northumberland advised motorists to take care after snow fell across the region overnight.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said motorists should be aware of icy patches, snow and wet, slippery roads, particularly on minor and untreated routes around Gateshead and Newcastle.

"Drivers should moderate their speed and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, as stopping distances are longer on wet or icy roads, and try not to brake sharply," she said.

"Ensure you have adequate visibility by clearing front and back windscreens and all windows and wing mirrors before setting off."

There are no reports of flight disruption in Scotland which is good news for Irish rugby fans heading to Murrayfield Stadium to watch Ireland face Scotland tomorrow.