Thousands of homes and businesses across Ireland remain without power amid a severe cold snap, with temperatures plunging as low as -6°C on Wednesday morning and expected to drop further to -8°C overnight.
The entire island is under weather warnings, with icy conditions causing widespread disruption. Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the Republic of Ireland, set to remain in effect until midday Friday.
More severe Status Orange warnings are impacting most counties, raising concerns over hazardous travel, transport delays, and animal welfare issues.
A Status Orange alert, which expired at 10 am Wednesday, will be reissued for all counties except Donegal from 6 pm Wednesday to 11 am Thursday.
The forecast for Thursday warns of “bitterly cold” conditions, with widespread frost, icy patches, and freezing fog creating dangerous travel environments.
The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) reported that 4,000 homes, farms, and businesses remain without power.
Utility agency Uisce Éireann is also working to restore water supplies, as tens of thousands faced disruptions during the start of the cold snap. Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary are among the worst-affected areas.
Northern Ireland is also grappling with icy conditions. The UK Met Office issued a Yellow-level snow and ice warning, highlighting risks of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces. This warning was expected to expire by midday Wednesday.
While the severe cold persists, Met Éireann anticipates a gradual improvement in conditions starting Friday and continuing into the weekend.
