Weather statement from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage - 8 March 2023

• National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management advise public to prepare for weather conditions in the coming days
• Crisis Management Team met today with Met Éireann, the local authorities, the Principal Response Agencies, key departments and responding national organisations

In preparation for a short period of cold conditions combined with a high probability of Snow over a widespread area the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) Crisis Management Team held a virtual meeting today (Wednesday 8 March) with Met Éireann, the local authorities, the Principal Response Agencies, key departments and responding national organisations.

The NDFEM CMT continue to liaise with Met Éireann to monitor the evolving weather situation. A further meeting of the group is scheduled for 11am on Thursday 9 March.

While there remains a level of uncertainty over where snowfall will occur and the likely levels of accumulation. Met Éireann have issued a Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for the whole country valid from 03:00 Thursday 09/03/2023 to 23:00 on the 09/03/2023. Rain, sleet and snow will spread northwards across the country later tonight (Wednesday night) and during Thursday accompanied by strengthening easterly winds. Accumulations of snow are expected in many areas, particularly over high ground, along with icy conditions. Sleet and snow will likely transition to rain in southern areas for a time.

There is an expectation of widespread icy stretches on Thursday night, 9 March into Friday morning, 10 March, with some further accumulations of snow likely.

Met Éireann have issued a further Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Cavan, Dublin Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow valid from 23:00 Thursday 09/03/2023 to 07:00 Friday 10/03/2023.

NDFEM Crisis Management Team continues to monitor developments, liaising with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Crisis Management Teams who are actively monitoring the evolution of weather conditions.

All departments and agencies are relaying the public safety messages, aligned with the latest weather warnings issued.

Protective actions advised

• heed local authority advice, monitor Met Éireann forecasts for updates

General public safety advice

• driving conditions may be hazardous into the weekend
• all road users should be aware of the potential for hazardous travelling conditions, particularly on untreated roads and allow extra time for all road journeys
• motorists should slow down and be aware of the dangers posed by poor visibility during periods of falling sleet/snow
• pedestrians should be aware for the potential of slips and falls in icy conditions particularly on untreated roads and footpaths

Met Éireann Weather Warning

The latest Met Éireann forecasts and warnings are available on the Met Éireann website.