Fionn Mccool
Blizzards and gales batter ireland
BLIZZARDS and gales are roaring across Ireland as Storm Fionn tightened its wintry grip yesterday.
The West coast was hit hard with four weather warnings in place while ice and snow sparked traffic chaos in Ulster and Connaught.
Forecasters say conditions won’t improve until the early hours of tomorrow with orange and yellow weather warnings in place until 3am.
But the recent frost and snow will make way for wintry downpours.
Met Eireann forecasters said: “Heavy and persistent rain will spread from the west later on this afternoon with strengthening southwest winds, which will become strong.”
Gusts of up to 75mph are hammering Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry.
A less severe status yellow alert for wind is also in place for all of Leinster as well as Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
The flood threat looms along coastal areas with a yellow alert in place until tomorrow. The Met Eireann source said: “High or very high seas are going to affect the Atlantic Seaboard over the next few days leading to increased risk of coastal flooding.”
“Some accumulations of snow are likely, especially in northern and western areas and over hills elsewhere, along with some slippery conditions.”
In the North, emergency services were called to the scene of at least 10 crashes yesterday morning as the
weather warnings were in place around country yesterday
Very high seas lead to increased risk of coastal flooding
MET EIREANN SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY
snow intensified. It comes as the Met Office increased its weather warning for snow and ice from yellow to amber. The ambulance service urged people to take care on the roads.
The Met Office amber alert remained in place until this morning.
The warning stated: “Heavy, squally showers of snow will continue through Tuesday and Tuesday night, with longer spells of snow for a time, especially on Tuesday evening. Over the hills, snow will drift in the strong to gale force winds.
“A gradual improvement is likely today.
“Travel delays on roads are likely, as are public transport cancellations, and some vehicles may become stranded, more especially on higher routes.
“There is a chance of power cuts, while services such as mobile phone coverage may be affected.
“Some rural communities seem likely to become cut off. In addition roads and pavements will turn icy.”