December Breaks Temperature Records

December 2009 was officially the coldest in the last 28 years according to figures released today by Mét Eireann.

In a statement released this morning, the Irish weather body announced that not only was it was the coldest December for 28 years over most of the country but it was the coldest of any month since February 1986.

A spokesman for Mét Eireann said: "After relatively mild, wet and windy weather during the early part of December, there was a change to much colder conditions after mid-month, bringing severe frost and falls of snow in places. Mean air temperatures for the month were below normal everywhere, by around two degrees generally."

Air and ground frost were severe in many places while heavy snowfall caused havoc on Ireland's roads during the second half of the month, particularly around the Christmas period.

Meanwhile, the cold conditions continue forcing local authorities to order thousands of tonnes of grit to sure up a shortage caused by the persistent frost and snow.

The delivery is expected to arrive at a port today for collection by local authorities who are anxious to make roads safe for motorists.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) said the prolonged freezing weather had resulted in two-thirds of the season's supply of grit being used, and warned that supplies were at critically low levels in some parts of the country.

The HSE reported a surge in the number of people seeking treatment for broken bones after slips and falls, while bus services continued to be restricted in Dublin.

Met Eireann said there was no signs of the cold snap ending, and that some areas would "struggle" to reach temperatures above zero over the coming week -- even during the day.

There was a total of between 22 and 27 ground frosts during the month at inland stations, compared with the normal range for December in these areas of between 13 and 17.

Today, Mét Eireann said the cold will continue through the rest of the week and over next weekend, across the whole country. There will be further severe frosts at night, and ice on untreated surfaces, some fog patches possible at times too. Daytime temperatures will be in low single figures at best.

(DW/BMcC)