Nationwide warning for snow and ice as temperatures drop
MET Éireann has issued a snow and ice warning nationwide ahead of plunging temperatures this evening.
Forecasters were right on the money when they said it will get much colder towards the second half of the week.
Now Met Éireann has issued two snow warnings as the country prepares for polar weather.
The forecaster initially issued an orange weather warning to counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. It will remain in place until 6pm today.
It has now included 18 other counties in a yellow weather warning for snow and ice over the next 24 hours.
This latest warning includes Dublin, Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath and Roscommon. It is also valid until 6pm today. The only county that has not received a warning is Galway.
Forecasters warned that “significant falls of snow are likely to cause accumulations of 3cm or greater above mean sea level”.
The latest forecast from Met Éireann says that it will be a cold and breezy day today, with further wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow. Lowest temperatures will be between -2C and +3C.
Met Éireann forecaster John Eagleton said temperatures will hit as low at -3C in the northwest today. “It will be cold for the next 10 days, with temperatures hardly making it up to 10C during the day,” said Mr Eagleton.
Earlier, Met Éireann warned that the cold air and some icy conditions will be “a real shock to the system” after the mild period.
The Road Safety Authority has also cautioned motorists to expect the unexpected with high winds and icy conditions.
Its advice included:
■ Watch out for falling/fallen debris and vehicles veering across the road;
■ Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong crosswinds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable;
■ Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists;
■ Drive with dipped headlights at all times.