Thousands of people remain without power during a bitter cold spell across Ireland.
The entire island was under weather warnings coming into Wednesday morning, with temperatures as low as minus 6C recorded in parts at 9am.
Temperatures were expected to plummet even further to around minus 8C overnight into Thursday, before conditions begin to improve on Friday and into the weekend.
Stay safe, informed & prepared by understanding the weather warning meaning for your area & take advice from your local authorities during weather events
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 7, 2025
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All of the Republic of Ireland is on at least a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning until midday on Friday, but more severe alerts will also apply to the vast majority of the country.
Irish weather agency Met Eireann said the extremely cold weather runs the risk of dangerous travelling conditions, transport delays and animal welfare issues.
A Status Orange low temperature and ice warning was in place for most counties overnight and expired at 10am on Wednesday.
However, it will be followed by a similar warning for every county except Donegal between 6pm on Wednesday until 11am on Thursday.
In general, Met Eireann said Thursday would be “bitterly cold” with widespread frost, ice and patches of freezing fog.
The Electricity Supply Board said 4,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power.
Meanwhile, Irish utility agency Uisce Eireann continued to work to restore water to customers in the worst-affected regions.
Weather related water disruption likely to continue due to Status Orange alert. Freezing ground puts stress on underground pipes and network connections. Crews will continue to work to maintain and restore water supplies for customers across the country. https://t.co/ZQnJXPn6wG
— Uisce Éireann - Irish Water (@IrishWater) January 7, 2025
Tens of thousands of households and businesses had been cut off at the start of the cold snap.
The main locations affected are Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.
A Yellow-level snow and ice warning was also announced for parts of Northern Ireland, with the UK Met Office advising of a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
The warning for areas in counties Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry was issued for between 4pm on Wednesday and 11am on Thursday.
