Batten down the hatches - snow is on the way

Snow in Dublin

By Paul Healy

SNOW, sleet and dangerous icy conditions on the roads are on the way, with the weather due to take a turn for the worse tomorrow.

Met Eireann has issued a yellow warning as the current temperatures of 7C to 10C head for a sudden drop below zero.

The west is preparing for the possibility of several centimetres of snow, which is expected to spread across the country by the weekend.

Forecaster David Rogers told the Herald: "It will be cold across the country as strong winds come in from the west with a mix of wintry showers.

"It will be cold throughout the week with frequent shows from Wednesday night. There have been some signs indicating snow."

Outbreaks of rain are expected to become widespread tonight, to be followed by a cold, windy and showery day tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the US, cities along the Philadelphia to Boston corridor of more than 35 million people began shutting down and bundling up yesterday against a powerful and potentially historic storm that could unload up to 90cm of snow.

More than 5,000 flights were cancelled, schools and businesses planned to close early and cities mobilised snowploughs and salt spreaders, getting ready for a dangerously windy blast.

Snow was falling yesterday in Philadelphia and New York, with Boston up next. Forecasters said the brunt of the storm would hit today.

hnews@herald.ie