41,000 without power, 40,000 without water, some schools closed as cold snap set to last until Friday – The Irish Times

Main points41,000 customers remain without electricity, and 40,000 are without water this morningThe National Emergency Co-ordination Group is due to meet on Monday morning to reassess the situationSchools and childcare facilities have been closed in parts of Kilkenny, Cork and Wicklow and others on an individual basis. The Department of Education is monitoring the poor conditions and will issue updates as necessaryThe HSE has said a number of hospitals have cancelled outpatient and day services.Met Éireann says the cold weather will persist until Friday morning, while daytime temperatures will struggle to climb above freezing and night-time temperatures will plunge as low as minus 8 degrees in some places during the week

The 6.15am Cork/Middleton & 07.45am Middleton/Cork rail services have been cancelled due to the poor weather conditions, according to Transport for Ireland updates

Bus Eireann customers are being advised to check the TFI App and the service update section on the @BusEireann website for the latest information

Good morning. Tens of thousands of homes are without power and many schools are due to stay shut today following heavy snowfall on Sunday across Munster and southern Leinster, with cold temperatures forecast to persist for the next few days, according to Met Éireann.

Here’s the latest from the forecaster: Temperatures are expected to remain bitterly cold today with widespread frost and lying snow, mixed with scattered shower of rain, hail and sleet. The top temperature will reach 5 degrees and will drop to as low as -5 this evening.

The weather will remain extremely cold throughout the week, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday nights with minimum temperatures ranging from -8 to -3 degrees.

Met Éireann has warned that areas of freezing fog will develop in some areas leading to hazardous travelling conditions and a few wintry showers will continue along the north coast.

However, it is expected to be less cold by Friday with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards and highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.