Residents are advised to exercise caution as freezing fog could significantly reduce visibility, leading to dangerous travel conditions both on roads and underfoot. The alert also raises concerns about animal welfare and potential travel disruptions. Meanwhile, the rest of Ireland, including Dublin, is under a Status Yellow low-temperature warning until 12 PM on Friday.

Relief on the Horizon

While the current cold snap persists, better weather is just around the corner. Meteorologists are forecasting five consecutive rain-free days next week, coupled with temperatures reaching double digits. A high-pressure system moving over Ireland is expected to bring largely settled conditions.

Met Éireann noted, “Temperatures are likely to be slightly above average for this time of year, with precipitation levels below normal. However, frost and fog may develop overnight, with areas of low cloud slow to clear during the day.”

According to WX Charts, next week’s weather will see minimal rainfall, with only brief drizzles between Wednesday and Sunday.

Current Conditions and Weekend Forecast

This morning, Dubliners experienced sub-zero temperatures ranging from -2°C to -5°C, while parts of Limerick recorded a chilling -8°C last night, marking the coldest point of the freeze so far. However, temperatures in Dublin are expected to rise to 8°C on Saturday and a milder 11°C by Sunday.

Before relief sets in, tonight could still see lows of -6°C, accompanied by early frost under cloudy skies. Met Éireann’s full weekend forecast includes:

• Friday: A cloudy day with scattered light rain in the southwest, though most areas will stay dry. Highs of 2°C to 5°C.
• Friday Night: Overcast with light rain or drizzle in places, and lows between 0°C and 4°C.
• Saturday: Cloudy conditions with occasional rain clearing to reveal isolated sunny spells in the afternoon. Highs of 4°C to 8°C.
• Saturday Night: Mostly dry and milder, with lows of 2°C to 6°C and some mist forming overnight.
• Sunday: Overcast skies with a southerly breeze. Rain may develop in western counties but the rest of the country will likely remain dry. Highs of 8°C to 11°C.

Outlook for Next Week

The high-pressure system dominating Ireland next week is set to bring predominantly dry weather, particularly in southeastern areas. However, frontal systems may affect Atlantic coastal counties, leading to occasional cloud and drizzle. Overall, conditions should remain calm with the possibility of sunnier spells in some regions.

Stay updated on the latest weather developments and exercise caution as warnings remain in place.

Here is a list of schools that have announced closures for the day:

• Sligo Area:
  • Summerhill College
  • St. Celica’s Special School
  • St. Joseph’s Special School, Ballytivnan
  • Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road
  • Ballinode College
  • Rockfield National School
  • Rathcormac National School
  • St. John’s NS, Temple Street
  • Carraroe NS
• Donegal Area:
  • Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala, Donegal Town
  • Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town
  • St. Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs
  • Choláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon
  • Creevy National School
  • Holy Family NS, Ballyshannon
• Leitrim Area:
  • Lough Allen College, Drumkeeran
  • St. Clare’s Comprehensive, Manorhamilton
  • Drumshanbo Vocational School
  • Masterson NS, Manorhamilton
  • Drumlease NS
• Sligo and Surrounding Areas:
  • High Park NS, Dromard
  • Scoil Chriost Ri NS, Enniscrone
  • Ballinlig NS, Beltra
  • St. Joseph’s NS, Killenummery
  • Keash NS
  • St. Patrick’s NS, Maugherow
  • Carbury NS

Some schools have announced delayed openings:

• St. Mary’s College, Ballisodare, will open at 11:15 AM for those who can safely travel.

Transport services are also affected:

• Finnegan Buses: Services from Collooney to Sligo have been canceled this morning to ensure passenger safety.
• Sheerins Buses: All routes serving schools in Sligo, Donegal, and Kinlough are suspended this morning. Afternoon services are being planned, depending on weather conditions.

Parents and guardians are advised to monitor local updates for further information. Authorities emphasize prioritizing safety for all during these challenging weather conditions.

Met Éireann forecaster Matthew Martin explained that the cold conditions will persist through today and tomorrow before “much milder weather arrives on Sunday and continues into early next week.”

Temperatures will hover near freezing nationwide, with frost and ice expected to linger. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr. Martin warned of freezing fog and hazardous road conditions, particularly where snow remains on the ground in the south midlands and southwest.

“Conditions will remain hazardous until tomorrow morning, especially in areas with lying snow,” he noted. “Another spell of sleet and snow is expected over hills in the southwest and south tomorrow morning, but less cold air will start to filter in after that.”

Despite the thaw, Mr. Martin emphasized that “rather hazardous conditions” could persist in some areas until tomorrow afternoon.

Overnight, Met Éireann reported the coldest temperature of -7.5°C in Mullingar, County Westmeath. Other low temperatures included -7°C in Athenry, County Galway, and -6.7°C in Oak Park, County Carlow, marking the coldest nights since the weekend.

Currently, a Status Orange low-temperature and ice warning is in effect for Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Counties Cavan and Monaghan until 11 a.m. A Status Yellow low-temperature and ice warning applies nationwide until midday tomorrow.

Met Éireann predicts widespread frost, ice, and lying snow, along with patches of freezing fog.

In Northern Ireland, a Yellow snow and ice warning for Counties Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry remains in place until 11 a.m., while a Yellow fog alert covering Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry is in effect until 9 a.m. The UK Met Office also cautioned that freezing fog may cause travel disruptions.

Power and water services continue to face disruptions due to the freezing conditions. ESB Networks reported that approximately 500 homes, farms, and businesses are still without electricity, with crews working to restore power.

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann stated that around 4,500 customers in Tipperary, Limerick, and Kerry remain without water. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with most supplies expected to return by this morning. However, the utility warned of potential increases in weather-related outages if the cold snap persists.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has warned that consuming these batches could pose significant health risks to individuals allergic or intolerant to egg or mustard. In their statement, the FSAI confirmed, “The above implicated batches of SuperValu Signature Tastes Greek Feta and Pasta Salad were mispacked with coleslaw. The coleslaw product contains egg and mustard, which are not declared in the ingredients list on the label of the Greek Feta and Pasta Salad. This may make the implicated batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of egg and/or mustard.”

Affected Product Details:

• Product Name: SuperValu Signature Tastes Greek Feta and Pasta Salad
• Pack Size: 240g
• Use-By Dates: 15/01/2025 and 17/01/2025

Health Risks Associated with Allergens:

• Egg Allergy: Symptoms can range from mild skin rashes and nausea to severe reactions like anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
• Mustard Allergy: Symptoms may include abdominal pain, swelling of the lips or throat, skin rashes, dizziness, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis.

Consumer Advice:

Consumers who have purchased these specific batches are urged not to consume the product. Instead, they should return it to the store for a full refund or dispose of it safely.

For further updates, customers are encouraged to monitor official announcements from SuperValu and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

The alert was raised shortly after 6:20 PM when authorities were informed about the presence of the suspected weapon. It was clarified that the individual did not make any threats towards fellow passengers.

A large-scale Garda response was initiated, including the deployment of several Armed Response Units from Dublin City. Following swift action, the suspect was apprehended at the scene and is currently being held at a Garda station in the Dublin region for further questioning.

The suspected firearm has been secured, and Gardaí have confirmed that a full technical examination will be conducted to verify its classification under Irish firearms legislation.

For safety precautions, Connolly Station was temporarily evacuated while authorities carried out a thorough security sweep of both the station and the train in question. Rail services have since resumed, but residual delays of up to 50 minutes are still being reported by Irish Rail.

In a statement, Gardaí reassured the public that there are no ongoing safety concerns and that Connolly Station has fully reopened.

Authorities have also addressed the spread of misinformation regarding the incident on social media platforms. The Garda spokesperson urged the public to verify information independently before sharing it online or via messaging apps.

Anyone with relevant information about the incident is encouraged to contact Store Garda Station at 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

According to the Donegal Weather Channel, heavy snow showers are expected to move in from the North West coast, leading to additional snow accumulation in the affected areas.

These conditions are likely to create treacherous driving scenarios, with icy roads compounding the risk for motorists. Travelers are strongly urged to exercise caution, reduce speed, and allocate extra time for their journeys.

While it remains uncertain whether Met Éireann will issue an updated snow-ice warning, residents are advised to stay informed through official weather updates and follow safety guidelines when traveling.

Local authorities also recommend checking weather forecasts regularly and avoiding unnecessary travel during peak snowfall periods.

Previously, the country was under a Status Yellow snow and ice warning until 12 PM today, with a Yellow low-temperature warning in place until midnight. However, the Yellow alert has now been elevated to Status Orange for 22 counties and extended to 25 counties starting from 6 PM on Wednesday.

Affected Counties and Timings

The Orange warning, which includes Dublin, will be in effect from 6 PM on Wednesday until 11 AM on Thursday. The current alert impacts Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, and all counties in Munster and Connacht.

While Dublin, Wexford, Louth, Donegal, and Northern Ireland remain under Status Yellow today, Donegal and Northern Ireland will continue under Yellow warnings tomorrow as well.

Severe Weather Conditions

Met Éireann has warned of widespread severe frost, ice, and snow accumulation, posing risks such as:

• Hazardous travel conditions on roads and footpaths
• Potential travel delays and disruptions
• Animal welfare concerns

Dublin Weather Outlook

In Dublin, temperatures are expected to remain extremely low, with daytime highs of just 1 to 4°C and persistent frost and ice in shaded areas. Overnight, temperatures are set to plummet to between -5°C and -3°C, with a chance of freezing fog on Wednesday night.

Thursday will bring little relief, with freezing conditions persisting despite occasional sunshine. Wintry showers will primarily affect the north and west in the morning, becoming isolated later in the day.

National Forecast Highlights

• Thursday Night: Temperatures could drop to as low as -7°C in some areas. Cloud cover will increase from the southwest, bringing sleet and snow before transitioning to rain.
• Friday: Milder conditions are expected, with temperatures ranging between 0°C and 5°C overnight and daytime highs reaching 6°C to 10°C.

Looking ahead, Met Éireann forecasts a slight improvement in conditions over the weekend, with fewer wintry showers and more settled weather patterns expected nationwide.

Authorities urge residents to exercise extreme caution while traveling and to stay updated with the latest weather alerts.

The announcement came during a press conference on Monday, where Mr. Trudeau addressed growing internal party pressure amid declining poll numbers and increasing dissatisfaction among Liberal legislators. Recent surveys indicate that the Liberals face a significant defeat in the next federal election, scheduled no later than October.

Parliament, which was initially set to reconvene on January 27th, will now remain suspended until March 24th. This move delays any immediate confidence motions from the opposition and ensures Mr. Trudeau will still be in office when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20th. President Trump has previously threatened tariffs that could severely impact Canada’s economy.

Reflecting on his decision, Trudeau stated, “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

Mr. Trudeau, who first assumed office in November 2015, has won reelection twice and is among Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers. However, his popularity began to wane two years ago as Canadians grappled with rising living costs and a severe housing crisis.

Efforts to stabilize his leadership were further strained last month after a clash with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Trudeau reportedly attempted to demote Ms. Freeland, prompting her resignation and a scathing public letter accusing him of prioritizing “political gimmicks” over meaningful governance.

The opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, are preparing for a potential early election. Poilievre, known for his vocal support of the 2022 trucker protests against COVID-19 mandates, has been gaining momentum among voters dissatisfied with the Liberal government’s handling of economic challenges.

As the political landscape in Canada undergoes a significant shift, all eyes remain on the upcoming Liberal leadership race and its implications for the nation’s future.

The cold snap may also impact public transport services in affected regions. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check updates from their service providers before setting out to avoid disruptions or delays.

In addition to travel concerns, local authorities are calling on residents to check in on elderly, vulnerable, and isolated neighbors, ensuring they are safe and well during this period of challenging weather conditions.

Motorists, pedestrians, and all residents are reminded to stay informed and take necessary precautions until the weather warning lifts later this evening.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed that these cameras will be installed at the busiest junctions and along bus lanes within the first half of 2025. There are also plans to extend this initiative to other cities, including Cork, Limerick, and Galway, by the end of the year. The cameras will not only catch motorists running red lights but also those blocking yellow boxes or illegally using bus lanes.

In contrast to this technological advancement, a new Garda policy on car chases has come under fire. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has criticised the policy, describing it as “unworkable” and claiming it gives free rein to drivers who refuse to stop. The policy, which instructs Gardaí to abandon pursuits in many instances, has led to concerns about public safety and the ability of law enforcement to effectively manage dangerous driving situations.

The GRA has highlighted several cases where Gardaí did not pursue fleeing vehicles, raising fears that this could embolden reckless drivers and lead to more dangerous incidents on the roads. The association argues that the strict rules are causing officers to hesitate, fearing disciplinary action or prosecution if something goes wrong during a chase.

This new policy has sparked a debate about the balance between ensuring public safety and protecting Gardaí from potential legal repercussions. Critics argue that while the intention behind the policy is to minimise risks during high-speed chases, it may inadvertently encourage more drivers to evade law enforcement.

As Dublin moves forward with the installation of red-light cameras, the city hopes to see a significant reduction in traffic violations and an improvement in road safety. However, the controversy surrounding the Garda pursuit policy highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining public safety while navigating complex legal and operational constraints.