Beware of ICY ROADS!!!!

Caroline_ie

Today

Cold and mostly dry for the rest of the day with a mix of cloud and sunny spells and just the risk of the odd shower. Some pockets of frost and fog may linger in some sheltered places into the early afternoon. Highest temperatures of only 3 to 6 degrees, in a light easterly breeze.

Tonight

Frost will set in very quickly after dark and tonight will be bitterly cold with widespread frost in near calm conditions. The frost will be very severe away from some exposed coasts, with icy patches and some freezing fog inland as well. Lowest temperatures will range from zero to minus 6 degrees.


Tomorrow

Tomorrow Tuesday will be a bright, dry day with sunny spells and light winds. However frost and fog may linger in some inland areas through the day, where temperatures will stay near freezing. Otherwise temperatures will recover to range 2 to 5 degrees for a time during the afternoon.

3 Day Outlook

Very cold Tuesday night with a widespread severe frost, as air temperatures fall as low -5 C or - 6 C in places. Freezing fog in many areas also. A little rain or sleet is possible in parts of the north overnight. Wednesday will be another cold, mostly dry day with bright or sunny spells, and light winds. The overnight frost and fog will be slow to clear, and may linger in some areas. Frost and fog will become widespread again Wednesday night. This will be followed by another cold, dry day on Thursday, with most of the frost and fog clearing. Frost in many areas Thursday night also, with another dry, cold day on Friday. The daytime temperatures will generally rise to between 3 C and 6 C, with winds remaining light, but it will be even colder where any fog lingers.

Gavin

Off home early tonight methinks

Alanstrainor

I was almost glad there was rain on my way into work dismorning, had been dreading the ice after seeing how frosty it was last night.
but cheers for the heads up, came off twice in one week, just before christmas, what's worse iis the fact that i came off in almost the same place as the first!.
Be careful out there lads.

seamus

I saw the rain this morning and thought "grand, no ice so", then nearly fell on my arse while walking my bike out. The ground was wet and getting rained on but there was still ice underneath, which I'd never seen before.
The roads overall seemed OK, but a couple of paths which I walk across were both wet and icy. Weird morning.

Yeah, I'll be leaving just after dark today I'd say.

No ice where I was thank god. I too was thankful of the rain

Caroline_ie

This is what happened last time I cycled on ice Nov 29th ... ( still in w/ cast )
Ice and me = Not Friends

irishmotorist

seamus wrote: »

I saw the rain this morning and thought "grand, no ice so", then nearly fell on my arse while walking my bike out. The ground was wet and getting rained on but there was still ice underneath, which I'd never seen before.
The roads overall seemed OK, but a couple of paths which I walk across were both wet and icy. Weird morning.

Yup - that stung me this morning too. Came off once, very nearly came off a second time and thought the car would be best. Fell on my arse walking back to the house too. Cars seemed to be keeping parts of the road reasonably clear, but bus lanes and the 'bike area' of wide roads etc. were treacherous. Not good!

With a possible -6 tonight, I think I'll try a walk test tomorrow before deciding.

Raam

I was expecting a tonne of ice this morning. However, all along the coast from Sutton to Clontarf was totally clear.

TGi666

are they going to start salting the roads yet?

Ciaran B

I hit the deck coming out of my estate this morning once I was onto the main roads things seemed OK. Early starts all week in work as well.

Canis Lupus

Wandered out (in London) at 7.30am to head to the gym. Hadn't looked out the window and missed the fact that the road was just covered in hail/sleet/ice. Sighed at having bothered getting up so early and went to get the bus instead I HATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

Caroline_ie

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I HATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

me too ...

TinyExplosions

Caroline_ie wrote: »

me too ...

me three

Gavin

Caroline_ie wrote: »

me too ...

You must be approaching a healthy state again soon?

Caroline_ie

Verb wrote: »

You must be approaching a healthy state again soon?

The cast will be no more in 2 weeks today! Hurray! Will take a while before I am able for a multi climb spin again ... will be training on the fixie and the turbo for a bit ... there is NO WAY I risk another of my my precious bones .. 2 broken bones in 6 weeks is enough.

colblimp

No ice at all here in Cork. Mind you, as I don't have a bike yet it doesn't affect me...:(

Turbulent Bill

Was geared up to cycle this morning, went out to check the roads and found I couldn't walk anywhere without slipping. Took the car instead, just started to rain as I left and the drive took about 30 mins. When I got to work (still raining) cars were fishtailing on corners and roundabouts - the brick roads were literally like an ice rink. Glad I made the right decision!

Judging by the forecast there'll be more of the same tomorrow.

mmclo

Ciaran B wrote: »

I hit the deck coming out of my estate this morning once I was onto the main roads things seemed OK. Early starts all week in work as well.

+1, twice in 30 seconds! Took to the road then and was fine, cycle paths in Dublin 15 and Phoenix pk are leathal stay on the road. The "modern" tarmac finish is very smooth and sheer, the older stuff on old country roads seems to be much better and have more grip...is this called progress?

buffalo

seamus wrote: »

I saw the rain this morning and thought "grand, no ice so", then nearly fell on my arse while walking my bike out. The ground was wet and getting rained on but there was still ice underneath, which I'd never seen before.

Did the exact same thing coming out my gate this morning, pulled something in my neck saving myself from falling on my arse.

kenmc

Thankfully was fine this morning Dundrum to Dame St. Not a slip to be had. Everyone else Ok?

Yep, they had gritted the roads (including the cycle tracks!) so I was happy.

TinyExplosions

Very mild in the city centre for me (heading towards Phibsborough) no ice or frost at all

Chips Lovell

Wonder if the more scientifically minded can answer me on this. Just back from Spain where it was colder most days, but no frost. Why is this? Has it something to do with the amount of moisture in the air?

kenmc

yep exactly.
same for me in Korea - not a spot of ice on any cars despite temps down to -10 or lower. Puddles on the ground were frozen, lakes were frozen, waterfalls were frozen, but not a spot of frost. Clear blue skies, no percipitation bar a bit of a snowfall one day.

seamus

Very very weird this morning. It was still freezing, but there wasn't a patch of ice on the roads, paths or any of the cars in my estate. I can only guess that the clouds rolled in during the night, raising the temp ever so slightly. Everything was bone dry.

Yeah, the city was much milder, warmed up significantly when I hit Terenure.

Dan Dare

If you are thinking of cycling in Cork, take care,near miss in Blackpool yesterday with a mobile using truckdriver in his truck.

kenmc

I'd say he's probably moved on, so Blackpool should be safe enough.

Eoin D

Looks like it's to be dangerous over the next couple of days....

Road Safety Alert

Severe Frost and Freezing Fog Forecast



The Road Safety Authority today Monday 5th January 2009 is advising road users to take extra care on the roads this week. It follows a forecast from Met Eireann for severe frost, freezing temperatures and freezing fog over the coming days.



According to Met Eireann the frost will be very severe away from some exposed coasts, with icy patches and some freezing fog inland as well. Lowest temperatures will range from zero to minus 6 degrees. The overnight frost and fog will be slow to clear, and may linger in some areas.



Highlighting the particular dangers posed to drivers by foggy conditions Mr. Noel Brett CEO, Road Safety Authority said “Fog is potentially the most dangerous of all weather conditions as it reduces a driver’s ability to see the road ahead and spot hazards. Freezing fog - when poor visibility is compounded by the road surface being slippery - is a driver's worst nightmare.”



“In such a scenario a collision involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, resulting in multiple vehicle pile-ups. So the advice is to slow down, keep your distance and give yourself plenty of time to react to the unexpected.” He said.



Advice for road users in the event of Fog



Drivers

When driving in fog do so with extreme caution, at low speed and with your fog lights turned on.
Be aware that fog can be patchy – so even when conditions appear clear do not drive quickly.
Use dipped headlights and fog lights if visibility is reduced so you can be seen. Dipped headlights direct light down onto the road and help other drivers to see you.
Do not attempt to use high beam headlights as they will actually reduce your line of sight and dazzle other drivers.
As you enter fog, check your mirrors and slow down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your lights warn following drivers.
Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front. This can give a false sense of security and lead to tailgating – a major danger
Beware of other drivers who are not using their headlights.
Ensure your windscreen is clear of mist and condensation, use your windscreen wipers if necessary


While it is important to use fog lights it is equally important to turn them off once visibility has improved. This is because they can dazzle other drivers.



There are added dangers when driving on motorways in foggy conditions. As motorways are designed to be driven on at higher speeds drivers mistakenly believe its safe to continue to drive fast on a motorway in fog. This is not the case. The same rules of slow down and keep your distance, apply to motorways. As a rule of thumb, if you can clearly see the lights of the vehicle in front of you, you are probably too close to them.



Advice for road users in icy or freezing conditions;

Greater levels of anticipation and concentration are required when driving in icy conditions

Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer
Remember it takes longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road. Drive slowly and allow extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin
Manoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration
To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently
Watch out for black ice, especially in sheltered areas on roads
Check tyres to ensure minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and correct tyre pressure
Drivers are encouraged to carry an ice scraper and de-icer as part of a car “emergency kit”.


Advice for Cyclists & Pedestrians



Walk on the footpath or if there is no footpath on the right hand side of the road (walking towards oncoming traffic)
Wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch and ensure the lights on your bike are working correctly
In extremely foggy conditions, especially in rural areas, only undertake trips by road when absolutely necessary.


For updates on weather forecasts Visit Met Eireann’s website www.meteireann.ie or the National Roads Authority’s Road Weather Information website www.nra.ie/RoadWeatherInformation .



The NRA has a network of 52 weather monitoring stations and road sensors located on National Roads. These stations are part of an Ice Detection and Prediction System for the forecasting of ice formation on national roads during the winter months. The web-page provides the actual readings from the road sensors in real time. The information provided includes Road Surface Temperature, Air Temperature, Wind Speed, Wind Direction and the Road State i.e. whether there is ice, frost, snow, wet and whether the road has been treated.



Ends





For further information, please contact:

The Communications Office, Road Safety Authority – 096 25008

Eoin D

Only looked at that NRA road monitoring page now, might be handy?

davidsatelle100

Wheres the logic, out on the bike this morning all good until I hit the main roads

then lo and behold theres a road sweeper not only removing all the grit to stop the road freezing over but pouring water onto the cycle lanes (where applicable)

There out to get me

short circuit

I chickened out today morning ... .. and drove in.

But once on the road .. I realised I could as well have been on the bike ... no frost at all ... :rolleyes:

Gavin

Socks
MTB booties
Leg Warmers
Baggy cycling shorts with liner
3 Baselayers
1 brand new thermal jacket
1 polar buff
1 beanie hat
1 pair of glove liners
1 pair of gloves

Toasty warm, no ice and it wasn't even mortally cold out. All for a 40 minute cycle. It would be nice if one could just pull on a cycling body suit with everything on it.

AstraMonti

There was no frost at all this morning.. but it was so cold that i swear if i touched my ears they would fall off! I need to buy one of these things that you put on them.. brrr

NeilMcEoigheann

tried to ride up to sally gap today and just at the top of that last steep climb up past ravens rock and that lake down in the corrie the road was completely frozen over and i really couldn't ride on it bout an inch of ice in some places where i broke a hole. anyway that was my ride today beautiful out though really crisp.

kenmc

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

tried to ride up to sally gap today and just at the top of that last steep climb up past ravens rock and that lake down in the corrie the road was completely frozen over and i really couldn't ride on it bout an inch of ice in some places where i broke a hole. anyway that was my ride today beautiful out though really crisp.

Erm didn't AA roadwatch say the sally gap was impassible yesterday? Or was that tuesday? You're nearly as nuts as Blorg!

Caroline_ie

kenmc wrote: »

Erm didn't AA roadwatch say the sally gap was impassible yesterday? Or was that tuesday? You're nearly as nuts as Blorg!

I think it was closed on monday and impassible tuesday and yesterday.

short circuit

Anyone know how the roads are today ... D15 and city centre ... any replies in the next 10mins highly appreciated .. ... AA says roads are slippery today

Not the city centre but Grand Canal to Merrion Road is grand.

TinyExplosions

City centre has some dampness on the roads, but didn't didn't any ice on my commute

kenmc

Dundrum to Dame St fine again - looked a bit iffy in some places but no slips along the way. very little traffic this morning too!

Caroline_ie

D15 seems fine -

short circuit

Myth wrote: »

Not the city centre but Grand Canal to Merrion Road is grand.

TinyExplosions wrote: »

City centre has some dampness on the roads, but didn't didn't any ice on my commute

kenmc wrote: »

Dundrum to Dame St fine again - looked a bit iffy in some places but no slips along the way. very little traffic this morning too!

Caroline_ie wrote: »

D15 seems fine -

Thanks everyone ... bike it is then today ... left it a little late today morning ... so in for some fight for road space with mummies and daddies ..

EDIT: Let the above statement not change the point of this thread ... let this remain about the road conditions .. find this very useful every morning ... early commuters .. please post your experience for the day ... thanks

Caroline_ie

short circuit wrote: »

Thanks everyone ... bike it is then today ... left it a little late today morning ... so in for some fight for road space with mummies and daddies ..

No! Don't do it!!!! I can see the N3 & from my desk and it's blocked. Seems that every time there is a holiday, the next working days have even more cars on the roads.

tunney

So this is actually a thread about ice in Dublin City Centre??? I thought it was a heads up for routes people used for training?

Headed out for a three hour spin yesterday morning from Dublin into Wicklow before work -7 in places and both my water bottles froze solid. No ice though. Died a death trying to maintain usual wattages - hadn't figured the impact those temperatures would have on power output. Got back to normal once I got back into Dublin.

ROK ON

Bit late for poster who wanted D15 info (there seems to be a lot of D15 people on this forum).
Anyway the road from Castleknock thru park was fine this morning (6.50). Much better than yday.
However the Parkgate St exit from the park has a leaking underground pipe (must be leaking for 2 yrs now). Anyway, road at the exit is covered in ice for last two mornings. Be extra vigilent as it is the downhill strech coming onto main road. The ice extends a good bit out from kerb to middle of road. Be careful or avoid altogether by exiting NCR or Islandbridge exit.

As an aside, my commute time is much quicker for past 2 days. Find I am droping to high gear and sprinting into work just to keep warm.
Got a polar buff - great thing. Use it as a sort of balaclava. Best piece of clothing ever.

Gavin

It sure is cold up the top of Kippure !

short circuit

Caroline_ie wrote: »

No! Don't do it!!!! I can see the N3 & from my desk and it's blocked.

Made it in safe and sound on the bike ... no ice on the road .. used N3 & Navan road all the way in ... faster .. and wasn't sure whether Phoenix park would be gritted .. and its always colder in the park

tunney wrote: »

So this is actually a thread about ice in Dublin City Centre??? I thought it was a heads up for routes people used for training?

Sorry ... didn't realise this was only for routes used for training .. might I justify by saying that my hour long commute is my training for the day .. :rolleyes:

ROK ON wrote: »

Bit late for poster who wanted D15 info (there seems to be a lot of D15 people on this forum).
Anyway the road from Castleknock thru park was fine this morning (6.50). Much better than yday.
However the Parkgate St exit from the park has a leaking underground pipe (must be leaking for 2 yrs now). Anyway, road at the exit is covered in ice for last two mornings. Be extra vigilent as it is the downhill strech coming onto main road. The ice extends a good bit out from kerb to middle of road. Be careful or avoid altogether by exiting NCR or Islandbridge exit.

As an aside, my commute time is much quicker for past 2 days. Find I am droping to high gear and sprinting into work just to keep warm.
Got a polar buff - great thing. Use it as a sort of balaclava. Best piece of clothing ever.

Tend not to use Phoenix park on colder days .. it feels much colder in the park .. and there is always ice somewhere .. now a days take the N3-Navan Road - Stony Batter - Christ Church - N81 - Canal - Ranelagh Road. Seems to be fairly safe ... cycle lane or bus lane most of the way through ... only risky bit around Christ Church where everybody seems to be in a rush .. but in peak hours .. the cars aren't moving .. .. and the only danger you face is cyclists who aren't looking:rolleyes:

By the way has anyone else noticed .. Sandyford always seems a lot colder than city centre or the north side .. wonder why ..

kenmc

short circuit wrote: »

By the way has anyone else noticed .. Sandyford always seems a lot colder than city centre or the north side .. wonder why ..

Relatively high, quite exposed, the mountains funnel wind down. Dundrum also feels cold - often been frozen waiting on the luas, but when get into town it's a good couple of degrees warmer.

Raam

kenmc wrote: »

Relatively high, quite exposed, the mountains funnel wind down. Dundrum also feels cold - often been frozen waiting on the luas, but when get into town it's a good couple of degrees warmer.

Also, much more buildings in town which would be giving off heat.

Gavin

Urban Heat Island effect

blorg

Verb wrote: »

It sure is cold up the top of Kippure !

Is that for real Verb? If so what bicycle did you use.