WEATHER: More snow and ice could be back in Kildare next week

ABOVE: Killashee Hotel looks stunning in the snow on Sunday. Photo: Kildare Drone

We might not have seen the last of snow and ice for this winter/spring yet, folks!

Heavier than expected snowfalls on Sunday took everybody by surprise and commuters had a torrid time being stuck in long motorway tailbacks trying to get to their destinations.

Inclines, roundabouts and roads in and around residential estates were also very slippery.

After one of the warmest winters on record in many places, Spring is beginning to start very cold.

Casement Aerodrome, which is the closest weather station to Co Kildare, had its sunniest February in 55 years - since 1964.

It recorded an average of 4.2 hours per day.

Temperatures plunging

Looking ahead to this week, temperatures could plunge as low as - 2 degrees on Friday night.

And Irish Weather Online experts predicting 'even colder' temperatures for Monday and Tuesday next week.

They added: "Wintry showers possible with snow on hills."

Kildare Weather Facebook Page also agreed that there could be a return to snow and ice next week:

"It also looks like it could be biting again come mid month with models hinting at wintry weather.

"This would be a case of double deja vú ... as on March 18th of last year we had another round of easterly winds and snow! "Is March now the new winter season?"

And Met Eireann's long range forecast says of early next week: "Unsettled. Wet and windy, with a risk of wintry precipitation at times also."

February broke records 

The highest air temperature in February - 17.3°C - was recorded at Mount Dillon in Co Roscommon last Monday. This was the highest February maximum temperature in 13 years.

Valentia weather station in Co Kerry had its highest average temperature (9.2°C)  in over 120 years - since 1893!

Phoenix Park had its driest February since 2012, according to Met Eireann.