A Status Orange warning for snow and ice has been issued for five counties in Munster, with significant snowfall expected.
The warning for Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford will be in effect from midnight tonight until midday tomorrow.
Met Éireann said that there is the potential for very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, disruption and delays to public transport and animal welfare issues.
The Deputy Head of Forecasting with Met Éireann Liz Coleman said the counties under the Status Orange weather warning can expect around 5cm of snow.
Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne, Ms Coleman said snow is expected to begin falling after midnight and warned that it will continue during rush-hour traffic tomorrow morning.
She advised travellers to take this into account as they make plans and to consider if they really need to travel tomorrow morning.
‼️Further update⬇️
⚠️Orange Snow/Ice Warning⚠️ for Clare Cork Limerick Tipperary & Waterford ❗️
➡️Significant snowfall accumulations expected
⏰00:01 to 12:00 Thu 21/11/24
Check updates for your region⬇️
ℹ️https://t.co/t2JoveRUyC pic.twitter.com/GtpTys3Iso— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 20, 2024
“We know in Ireland, snow is quite impactful for people… people need to be aware and be prepared for the fact that they may have to travel in snow conditions.
“And also, we want people to maybe consider if they need to take the journey at all,” said Ms Coleman.
She said that snow is notoriously hard to forecast in Ireland but that Met Éireann is getting a “significant signal” that there will be snowfall over the southern half of the country.
Meanwhile, a Status Yellow warning for ice and low temperatures is in effect across the country as temperatures dropped to around -3C in places overnight.
Met Éireann said that it will be very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches, which could lead to hazardous conditions on roads and paths and warned that there could be some travel disruption.
The warning is in operation until 10am.
Be safe and drive slow!!!
*Very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches
* Hazardous conditions on roads and paths
* Some travel disruptionMore: https://t.co/VrpF2kPHyY #TII #RoadSafety #BeWinterReady #Slowdown@RSAIreland @Dept_Transport @GardaTraffic pic.twitter.com/ytZDgO4pMS
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) November 20, 2024
A separate Status Yellow warning for snow and ice will be in operation for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster and Galway from 9pm tonight until 12pm tomorrow.
The forecaster said that snowfall accumulations are expected, which could lead to hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption.
Temperatures tonight will also drop to around -3C, with a separate Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the entire country coming into effect from 8pm until 10am tomorrow morning.
Cork County Council is urging motorists to take extreme care on the roads while the warnings remain in place.
In a statement, the council said that “gritting trucks are ready for deployment when required”.
⚠️ Yellow Weather Warning – Low Temperature/Ice ⚠️
📍 Ireland
📅 Wed 20, 8pm – Thurs 21, 10am
◾ Very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches. Possible impacts:
◾ Hazardous conditions on roads and paths
◾ Some travel disruption pic.twitter.com/pm4mgdZ3i8— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) November 19, 2024
Separately, a Yellow snow and ice warning for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry is in effect until 10am.
The UK Met Office said that wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
HR consultancy firm HR Buddy said today that severe weather events can impact an employee’s ability to report for work and an employer’s ability to operate their business and to be able to provide work.
Appeal to look out for rough sleepers
Earlier this week, Dublin’s Simon Community urged members of the public to “keep an eye out” for people sleeping on the streets during the cold spell.
People are being asked to alert specialist services if they see anyone sleeping on the streets.
Those with concerns about rough sleepers can submit a location-based report on the Rough Sleeper Alerts app, which is available to download on iPhones and Androids.
The charity’s Street Outreach Team has said it would appreciate any assistance the public can offer to help those sleeping rough.
Volunteers will also continue to deliver hot soup, tea, and food to people sleeping outdoors in Dublin city centre.
