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# winter won't quit
Weather warnings: Another rainfall alert - and motorists urged to beware of black ice
Temperatures are set to dip over coming nights – which will lead to icy roads in some areas.
Updated at 5.50pm
MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a fresh rainfall alert for the country – with between 15 to 25mm expected to fall tomorrow.
The yellow alert advisory applies from midday tomorrow until 11pm.
Here’s the full forecast:
“Heavy rain will move into southwestern and western areas later in the morning or early afternoon and will spread to all areas during the afternoon and evening.
“Windy also with southeast winds increasing strong and gusty with the rain.
Cold especially in northern areas with afternoon temperatures ranging from about 4 degrees in northern areas to 10 degrees in the south.
Black ice warning
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority has issued an alert for black ice – as sub-zero temperatures are being forecast for the next few nights.
According to the RSA:
“Temperatures may drop below zero at night resulting in icy surfaces particularly black ice.
With roads conditions still hazardous due to the recent flooding, motorists are being advised to slow down and take extra care as the conditions will pose an added danger.
Here’s the RSA’s advice for driving in icy conditions:
- Check local and national weather forecasts before setting out on a journey. Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.
- Watch out for ‘black ice’. If the road looks polished or glossy it could be black ice – one of winter’s worst hazards. It is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. It can occur especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.
- Use your dipped headlights so that others will see you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are all in working order, replace broken bulbs.
- Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and allow extra space.
Coordination group
The National Coordination Group responding to the flooding crisis warned that the expected rainfall event tomorrow has the potential to cause flooding on the road network and in urban areas in counties Monaghan, Cavan, Meath and Louth.
Meanwhile, parents of school-age children are being urged to check for local updates on road flooding, as many schools are reopening tomorrow after the Christmas break.
A significant number of homes and businesses have been affected or threatened by floodwaters since the start of last month. According to the latest update over 200 properties have been affected, while a similar number of properties are at risk from flooding and experiencing access difficulties.
Water levels
The ESB says levels in Lough Derg, to the northeast of Limerick, have increased marginally in the past 24 hours and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at 470 cubic metres per second for the rest of the day.
In normal conditions, the flow of water through the weir is about 10 cubic metres per second. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
The OPW confirmed yesterday that water levels had reached record levels in Athlone and on Lough Ree. Levels have risen further since that update.
Read: Met Éireann has been crunching the numbers on our ‘highly abnormal’ December
Read: Beaumont Hospital is asking people to stay away from its emergency department tonight
