Updated at 17:45
MOST OF THE COUNTRY escaped without fresh snowfall last night, but those on the east coast should prepare for another torrential blizzard tonight.
Met Éireann’s latest weather advisory has warned that County Wicklow could face between six and ten inches of snow tonight, as temperatures begin to plummet once more.
Drivers in the county have been warned to avoid travelling on higher ground. AA Roadwatch says the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap are impassable.
People in counties Dublin and Louth, meanwhile, have been told to expect between four and eight inches of snow, while inland Leinster should prepare to experience anywhere from two to four inches of new snowfall.
Met Éireann adds that the latest stretch of cold weather will continue across Ireland throughout the week, with overnight temperatures hitting -10′C (or, worryingly, lower).
The Road Safety Authority is urging drivers to consider if the journey they are about to undertake is absolutely necessary and warns that severe weather conditions can catch road users off guard.
It says that if the weather is too bad, people should not attend test centres for their driving test, but should contact 1890 40 60 40 or fill in the online test cancellation form.
AA Ireland said earlier this afternoon that its AA Rescue service received a breakdown call every 30 second during this morning’s rush hour. The highest volume of calls were made in Leinster.
AA’s Conor Faughnan reminds motorists to reduce their speed and double their braking distance during the severe weather, and recommended drivers carry a fully-charged mobile phone with them in case they need to call for assistance.
The Irish Examiner reports that about 2,400 Eircom customers are without telephone and broadband services because of the weather, with Dublin, Wicklow and Louth worst affected as a result of lightning and storm damage.
Eircom is warning of further faults if the weather continues to deteriorate.
If you have hatches, batten them down. In the meantime, updates on the country’s transport network can be found at the Department of Transport website, or at AA Roadwatch’s Twitter page.
Additional reporting by Susan Ryan
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