A status orange low temperature and ice warning remains in place across much of the country as temperatures plunged to -7.5C overnight in some parts of the country.
As persistent ice and snow continue to disrupt travel and power supplies, the orange weather warning is in place for Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan.
The warning is in place until 11am on Thursday and Met Éireann is warning that it will remain extremely cold with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow.
Temperatures plunged to -7.5C overnight, with that temperature being recorded in Mullingar. Other low temperatures were recorded in Athenry (-7C) as well as Shannon (-4C).
Met Éireann said that “dangerous travel conditions” are still to be expected on roads, as well as animal welfare issues.
Overnight, 500 people remained without power in their homes.
That’s according to a spokesperson for ESB, who said crews are “mobilising once again this morning in impacted areas to complete power restoration”.
A status yellow low temperature and ice warning is also still in place across Ireland until midday on Friday.
Met Éireann has said it will again be “bitterly cold” tonight with temperatures of -7C to -2C expected.
Come Friday, the weather will start to improve, with the forecaster saying Friday night will not be “as cold as previous nights”, with temperatures of 1C to 5C expected.
Meanwhile, the ESB has arranged for anyone without power to avail of facilities in local hotels. Affected customers can recharge phones, eat a hot meal, and refresh.
Facilities will be available at the following hotels on Thursday:
- Longcourt Hotel in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick from 12pm to 8pm;
- Leens Hotel in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick from 12pm to 6pm;
- Charleville Park Hotel in Charleville, Co Cork from 12pm to 6pm;
- Horse and Jockey Hotel in Thurles, Co Tipperary from 12pm to 6pm.
Customers must provide their MPRN number to access these services, however, the ESB has reminded customers to only travel “if safe to do so.”
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