Snow, ice and heavy rain are set to sweep over Ireland this weekend with two distinct status orange weather alerts issued for a combined total of 10 counties from Saturday afternoon.
Met Éireann is forecasting sub-zero temperatures and “very disruptive and impactful” weather conditions with significant accumulations of snowfall in some parts of the country. There is also a risk of school closures in some areas on Monday.
A 24-hour orange snow and ice warning comes into effect from 5pm on Saturday for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary with the national forecaster warning of “significant snowfall accumulations”.
A separate orange rain and snow warning for Cork and Kerry for the same 24-hour period has also been issued with “heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow”.
Ireland weather update: Heavy snow in parts as Met Éireann says cold spell will continue into next few days
Dublin weather: Snow, sleet and rain due as Met Éireann forecasts freezing temperatures for days ahead
Ireland weather update: Warnings remain in place as snow, sleet and rain moves across country
Ireland weather update: Status Orange warnings in force as Met Éireann forecasts ‘significant snowfall’ across country
The cold snap will lead to very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, and delays to public transport with difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues, Met Éireann said.
Status yellow weather warnings have been issued for all but two counties – Fermanagh and Armagh. .
The most significant snowfall accumulations are likely across parts of Munster and south Leinster as heavy rain transitions to sleet and snow on Saturday evening, continuing right through to Sunday. Accumulations of 5cm or more are being forecast in 24 hours.
Met Éireann’s deputy head of forecasting Liz Coleman urged people to “take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period”.
She said temperatures would climb marginally and briefly as the weekend continues but cold Arctic air “will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris urged people to “take care over the coming days” and said Government agencies, locally and nationally “are working hard [and] safety is paramount”.
In a post on X, he thanked “those working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of others” and said there would be further meetings of agencies on Saturday.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged all road users to “be prepared, exercise caution and stay informed”.
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The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management said local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have 160,000 tonnes of salt available and all national primary routes and secondary routes would likely be treated twice a day over the weekend and into next week.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive said that along with its total capacity of 192 permanent beds for rough sleepers, it was making 82 additional beds available.
The Department of Integration said it has activated a cold weather response plan, with particular focus on asylum sleepers who are sleeping rough or on tented accommodation sites.
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