IRELAND could see up to 39 hours of snow this weekend as an arctic snap sets in across the country.
Weather bosses said this weekend’s outlook is “highly unpredictable” but predicted snow.
3
It also means that thousands of New Year travel plans could be disrupted.
As it stands, Met Eireann have placed all 32 counties under a status yellow weather warning.
They have warned: “Very cold with widespread frost and ice as temperatures fall to -3C or below in many areas.”
And they stressed that the change in weather could mean travel disruptions for many.
Read more in The Irish Sun
Those driving on the roads should be extra careful of ice, frost, and fog when travelling.
And punters hoping to jet off on a winter getaway should be aware that their flight could face disruption.
Dublin Airport has procedures in place for snow and ice events, but holidaygoers should continue to check their flight status all the same.
The DAA said that snow and ice is a huge problem for the runways at the airport.
They said: “It is essential that aircraft have enough braking action to allow them to stop safely on a runway when moving at speed.
“A build up of snow or ice on a runway can dramatically reduce the available friction required for braking, thus making it unsafe for aircraft.
“Taxiways may also be withdrawn from service for this reason.
“Dublin Airport has about 600 acres of apron, taxi-way and runway to keep clear of snow and ice.
“In bad weather, we have a team of people working constantly to keep the airport operating.
“Every inch of snow on the airfield equates to about 15,000 tonnes of snow which must be cleared.”
A low pressure area will steer rain across the country on Saturday.
But this is set to be coupled with freezing temperatures in the coming days and nights.
Met Eireann have said temperatures could plunge as low as -13 over the weekend.
It means that any rain and fog is likely to freeze and cause massive snowdrifts.
Met Eireann said: “Very cold with some very disruptive and impactful weather likely this weekend, with an area of low pressure dominating and bringing heavy rain, sleet and some disruptive amounts of snow. Becoming blustery too.
“Becoming drier for the early days of next week with the winds moderating, but bitterly cold with an arctic airmass across the country and with very hazardous conditions from a combination of lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers.”
3
