Significant accumulations of snow and bitterly cold temperatures due to an arctic air blast means that the snow may not thaw until later this week; with a status yellow low temperature and ice warning in place until 12pm on Thursday at the earliest.
Several areas have had no choice but to close schools across the country in the most affected areas in the south and midlands as a result of the snow, with the Department of Education saying that schools will make individual decisions on reopening based on the conditions in their areas.
According to the Irish National Teacher Organisation (INTO), classrooms need to be heated to a minimum of 16C by 10am, meaning that classes can’t go ahead if it’s too cold. While there are also adequate heating systems in all schools, frozen pipes will also lead to schools closing.
There are also safety concerns surrounding public transport and school buses, with canceled routes also becoming a factor in if schools will open or remain closed.
Several schools so far have announced their closures on Monday (January 6) — with Castledermot Primary School, Gaelscoil Átha Í and Kildangan Primary School, as well as Knockbeg College, have confirmed that they will be closed.
Bitterly cold today with widespread frost and lying snow.❄️
Sunshine and scattered showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow.🌦️🌨️
Top temps ranging from 1 to 5 degrees but staying below freezing over snow-fields. NW winds will increase moderate to gusty, stronger in Atlantic areas. pic.twitter.com/cP1BxAvcem
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 6, 2025
Closed schools
Patrician Academy, St Mary’s Secondary School and Davis College in Cork are closed too, while McEgan College also announced that they won’t be reopening — but teachers will be available on Microsoft Teams to support students with their work.
Carlow and Kilkenny were some of the worst hit areas by the snow and ice, with almost all schools in the area, with parents of students urged to check their children’s school’s website. The Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training will also be closed.
In Tipperary, all primary and secondary schools in Cashel will be closed according to Tipperary Councillor Liam Browne. St Ailbe’s School in Carrownreddy will also be closed in Tipperary, while in Limerick, Our Lady of Peace National School will remain closed "for the health and safety of our entire school community."
St Fergal’s College in Co Laois, which was also hit by the snow, announced on Sunday that they will not reopen on Monday either, because "it will not be safe for students, staff and parents to travel if these conditions continue."
There is currently a Status Yellow Countrywide warning for Low Temperature/Ice, valid until Thursday 12pm
Potential Impacts:
• Hazardous travelling conditions
• Icy patches
• Travel disruptionPlease stay updated by checking warnings website and local advice. pic.twitter.com/HjOuTD02FT
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 6, 2025
The head of the Alone charity, which provides a befriending and support service to pensioners living by themselves appealed to people to check in on their older neighbours — with the charity’s CEO Seán Moynihan saying last night: "We’re asking people to look out for older and more vulnerable members of the community.
"Please stay in touch with older friends, family and neighbors. It’s vital that homes are kept warm and comfortable, particularly for those with underlying health difficulties, which can be exacerbated by the cold weather.
"If you’re an older person concerned about using your heating because of the cost of energy or if you know someone in that situation, you can call Alone on 0818 222024 seven days a week from 8am until 8pm," Mr Moynihan continued.
"There are supports available from Alone and other organizations, please get in touch and if you have concerns or need any information about keeping older people safe during this cold spell."
According to Met Éireann, Arctic weather conditions will continue for most of the week with sleet, snow and freezing fog expected in many areas. It will be next weekend before temperatures begin to rise.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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