THE FORECAST FOR next week is dominated by warnings of snow and sleet in places as temperatures drop.
Although floodwaters are starting to recede there’s a risk of further spot flooding tonight, Met Éireann says.
Potentially heavy and prolonged showers are due to push up from the south, mainly affecting parts of Munster and Leinster, with coastal counties in these areas most at risk of flooding overnight.
“Some of the showers may even turn wintry,” the forecast reads, “Long dry spells soon developing but with frost and ice as clear skies set in.”
The latest from the River Shannon is that levels at Castleconnell and Montpelier are continuing to fall today, thanks to drier weather through the week.
Limerick County Council said water levels are now 300mm lower than their peak.
In Clare, council staff along with Defence Forces troops are continuing to provide support to residents of Springfield, including transporting residents in and out of flooded areas.
The ESB has reduced the flow of water through the Parteen Weir as water levels in Lough Derg also fall.
A statement said:
This level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.
Looking ahead to next week, one thing is clear: it’s going to be cold.
Wintry showers are expected through the week, with a chance of snow in western and northern areas on Monday, with temperatures plunging at night to at low as -3 degrees, with severe frost. This has been revised up from predictions of -5 degrees.
On Tuesday sleet is expected in northwestern areas, although with sunny spells during the day, while Wednesday will be cloudy with rain or sleet spreading southeastwards.
Originally published 1.26pm
Read: Ireland is exposed to extreme weather in a manner we have never seen before >
have your say