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A cyclist struggles through slushy snow in Glasnevin in Dublin last March. Leon Farrell
Cold Snap
Status Orange warnings expanded with 'significant accumulations' of snow expected in some areas
Schools may not open on Monday in areas worst hit by snow.
LAST UPDATE | 3 Jan 2025
FURTHER WEATHER WARNINGS have been issued by Met Éireann as the prolonged cold snap takes hold across the country.
A Status Orange snow-ice warning has been issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, coming into effect on Saturday at 5pm and continuing to Sunday 5pm. The forecasters have said significant snowfall accumulations are expected in the area and noted potential impacts such as travel disruption, very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, difficult conditions underfoot, and animal welfare issues.
Cork and Kerry are also subject to a Status Orange rain and snow warning from 5pm Saturday until 5pm Sunday, with ‘heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow with significant accumulations expected’. The warning comes into effect as Status Yellow at 1pm tomorrow before being upgraded to Status Orange at 5pm.
People in the two counties are being advised to expect hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption and localised flooding.
A Status Yellow ‘Snow-Ice’ warning has been issued for Leinster, Connacht, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
It comes into effect at 5pm tomorrow and covers the following 24 hours.
Impacts will include hazardous travelling conditions, and travel disruption.
The forecaster is warning that snowfall accumulations can be expected in these counties during the period covered.
#Meteorologist @Mark__Bowe brings you an overview of the #WeatherWarnings in place for the coming weekend 📽️👇
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2025
For more info and updates, keep an eye on 👀https://t.co/YJqxvBC4J0#ColdSnap #BeWinterReady pic.twitter.com/ruAfRZcuxt
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) met this morning with national stakeholders following the details of the forecast by Met Éireann. Local councils have confirmed their emergency response teams are in place.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland also confirmed that bus, train and luas depots have adequate salt supplies for platforms and pathways. Local authorities will also salt roads and some footpaths in urban areas, where possible, overnight.
Public transport will operate this weekend under the assumption that services can be disrupted at any time, the National Transport Authority said.
The NDFEM is asking that people look out for and take care of elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours this weekend and remind the public to insure they have safe and reliable forms of communication available to them at any given time.
National Director of the NDFEM Keith Leonard urged motorists to slow down and to be extra vigilant this weekend. He detailed that people sleeping rough will be contacted by the relevant departments and that emergency beds are being coordinated.
Charity for older people, ALONE, is urging people to check in on elderly relatives and neighbours.
ALONE CEO, Sean Moynihan said: ““If you’re an older person concerned about using your heating because of the cost of energy, or if you know someone in that situation, you can call ALONE on 0818 222 024, seven days a week from 8 am or 8 pm.”
“It’s vital that homes are kept warm and comfortable, particularly for those with underlying health difficulties, which can be exacerbated by the cold weather,” he added.
Possible school closures
Met Éireann has described the incoming weather system as a “multi hazard weather event”. In areas worst hit by snow over the coming days, schools may not open on Monday.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1′s Morning Ireland, Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy said we won’t fully know if schools will open on Monday until later in the weekend.
Decisions to close schools are made locally by boards of management rather than the Department of Education, a spokesperson said. Any decision to close to school is taken after coordination with other stakeholders in the context of child safety, they added.
The general guidance provided to schools is that they consider the advice of the gardaí and other agencies, consult with school transport operators and assess all local risks.
Murphy said there will be snow in “many areas” through tomorrow night, with further snow on Sunday before it all gradually clears away to the South East on Sunday night. Temperatures will stay low into Monday, meaning lying snow will remain.
Hazardous driving conditions
Temperatures today are expected to remain low, between two and six degrees, but will likely drop overnight to below freezing in many places. Patches of fog and freezing fog are likely to develop in some parts of the country tonight.
Murphy warned drivers to be cautious due to icy stretches on the roads. The Road Safety Authority has told motorists to travel with caution on Irish roads this weekend as the country prepares for ice, frost and snow.
🔶 Orange Weather Warning – Snow/Ice 🔶
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) January 3, 2025
📍 Carlow, Clare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Wicklow
📅 Sat 4, 5pm – Sun 5pm
Significant snowfall accumulations expected. Impacts 👇 pic.twitter.com/nfVZOyPwON
Scattered, and at times wintery, showers are expected in the north and west today while most areas in the midlands, east and south can anticipate a bright, cold day.
Showers in the north and west will move to the coast overnight while every other area can expect a relatively dry evening. Met Éireann has said it expects ice and frost to develop again tonight.
It’s likely to get very cold this weekend, with temperatures dropping to -7 in some places at night, and the long cold snap is expected to stick around well into next week.
Motorists are expected to check their tyre tread before driving, including spare wheels they might be travelling with, to insure the tread has not fallen below 3mm. If it is the case, the RSA says motorists must replace the tyre.
Similarly, motorists must make sure all of the lights on their vehicles are in working order before driving and that all windows and mirrors are clean and clear. Drivers are asked to travel with care, at a safe speed and a safe distance from others.
Drivers should consider taking a hi-vis vest, a tow rope, spare fuel, a shovel, boots and other emergency equipment with them when travelling and also allocating extra time for their journey.
Snow is notoriously difficult to forecast and Murphy said earlier there is “uncertainty” over where and how much snow there will be over the weekend.
In a statement this evening, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue called on farmers to prioritise safety during the current cold spell of weather.
“I am urging all farmers, fishers and everyone in rural areas to be extra careful during the current cold spell of weather,” he said.
“While farmers always make every effort to look after livestock during poor weather, they must prioritise their own safety and the safety of those working and living in rural communities.
“Livestock are resilient during cold weather once they have access to adequate feed and shelter. It is important that farmers have measures in place to ensure outwintered and housed livestock have access to fresh water during freezing conditions.”
- Reporting by Daragh Brophy, Jane Matthews, Muiris Ó Cearbhaill, and Nicky Ryan
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