SNOW ALERT
Drivers urged to take care over ice and sleet as arctic blast hits ireland
IRELAND was hit by an Arctic weather snap last night with snow, ice and sleet making driving conditions hazardous.
Met Eireann issued two national status yellow weather warnings as a front moving in from the Atlantic brought freezing temperatures.
The alert covers Leinster and counties Cavan, Monaghan, Tipperary, Waterford and East Cork and was in place from 9pm last night until 4am today.
Up to 3cm of the white stuff was predicted and snow started falling in Dublin just after 9pm last night as temperatures hit -1C. Meanwhile, a band of light rain and drizzle turned to sleet and snow as it moved from the east.
The west and northwest is expected to be hit by snow and sleet later this afternoon.
A Met Eireann spokeswoman added: “Wintry showers will move into western areas towards dawn.
“The combination of a light dusting of snow in places, as well as frost and ice, will result in hazardous conditions on untreated surfaces.”
Roads are expected to be “slippery and treacherous” this morning after temperatures plummeted to as low as -2C last night.
The spokeswoman added: “Once this band of rain, sleet and snow clears into the Irish Sea then we’ll be into a very showery set-up for Tuesday.
“There is a yellow snow and A CHARITY has expressed major concerns for those on the streets after severe winter weather blasted Dublin last night.
Speaking yesterday, Inner City Helping Homeless spokesman Brian Mcloughlin said: “With a ice warning for the entire country and scattered sleet and snow showers with very brisk winds too.”
Rain in western coastal counties moved eastwards yesterday evening and turned to sleet and snow across the Midlands and east of the country.
The latter part of last night was expected to be clear and cold with frost and ice forming as dawn approached.
Temperatures today will be between 3C and 5C but will feel more like freezing with strong north-westerly winds.
An Garda Siochana advised road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of what to expect before setting out on a trip. snow warning in place for Dublin we have major concerns for the safety of people sleeping rough around the city tonight.
“Only last week we saw the first death of the year as a man sleeping rough passed away near Parnell Street.
“On that night the Dublin Region Homeless Executive confirmed there were no available beds left in the system had the man wanted to access accommodation for the night.
“There is still a huge issue with the number of available beds in the system.
“The public can help us by giving us a call on 01-8881804 or 085-8389281 if they see anyone sleeping rough around the city tonight.”