From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann and a range of other stakeholders met this morning to discuss the potentially disruptive wintry weather forecasted for the next few days.
Met Éireann is predicting very cold and icy conditions over the coming days with rain, sleet and snowfall expected. Parts of the country can expect significant snowfall accumulations leading to:
NDFEM is continuing to liaise with Met Éireann and is monitoring the situation.
Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) are monitoring conditions locally and Local Authorities have their emergency response teams in place, ready to respond where and when necessary. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has confirmed that adequate salt supplies are in place, and local authorities will continue to salt roads as well as footpaths in urban centres where possible.
The National Transport Authority has confirmed that public transport authorities are on alert in anticipation of potential disruption over the weekend.
Status Yellow Rain and Snow warning for Cork, Kerry
Valid: 13:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday. Localised flooding possible.
Status Orange Snow-Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary
Valid: 17:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday
Status Yellow Snow-Ice warning for Leinster, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Connacht
Valid: 17:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday
Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, emphasised:
“We are going to see difficult travel conditions for much of the country in the coming days. Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted – so I urge people to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey. It’s important that drivers travelling longer journeys are aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
"Footpaths can also be extremely hazardous and slippery due to ice so please take extra care while walking.
“Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather, so I’d advise people to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
“With regard to rough sleepers during this wintry spell, the department is communicating with Regional Leads in relation to their Cold Weather Initiatives and has advised them of the expected conditions. Cold Weather Initiatives operate across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed – ensuring that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather.
“Finally, I would urge all members of the public to take extra care with all activities and to check out the Met Éireann and Be Winter Ready websites for further updates and advice.”
Further public safety advice includes: