THE bank holiday weekend is likely to be cold and unsettled, with temperatures below normal for the time of year and widespread wintry showers. But there is little likelihood of the return of the snow which blanketed much of Connacht on Wednesday night and early yesterday.
Parts of the west experienced their heaviest snowfalls for many years, leaving some minor roads impassable and causing the closure of numerous schools. Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon fared worst, as heavy falls left over a foot of snow in many low lying areas.
There were significant amounts of snow also in counties Sligo and Leitrim. Coastal areas, including Galway city, escaped with just a light fall, which thawed early yesterday afternoon as rain replaced the snow.
However, snow continued to fall further north and many householders in south Mayo had to dig their way out of their homes because of drifting, according to gardai in Castlebar.
The expected freezing conditions on Wednesday night did not materialise, which meant that all main roads were easily passable. Conditions on minor roads in the west were treacherous yesterday because of the volume of snow according to the AA and the gardai. Many minor accidents were reported.
Heavy snowfalls in Roscommon and east Galway yesterday morning made driving conditions difficult up to midday. However the snow had given way to rain by the afternoon and roads in both counties were reported to be clear. However, gardai warned that driving conditions would worsen dramatically if temperatures dropped below freezing during the night.
In north Mayo and west Sligo some schools remained closed while attendances in those which did open were reduced because off the sudden snap of winter weather. There were snowdrifts on the high hills and some roads were impassible for a time.
West Mayo was particularly badly affected, with schools closed and electricity supplies interrupted.
With the lambing season now at its peak, the snow and freezing conditions posed problems for sheep farmers.