Parts of the country are waking up to a blanket of snow this morning after temperatures plummeted overnight.
A band of rain moving up over Ireland from the southwest quickly turned to sleet and snow on Saturday night, causing impactful snow accumulations in Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary – particularly on high ground.
The Government’s national emergency co-ordination group (NECG) met on Saturday to prepare for the severe weather forecast across the country.
Taoiseach Simon Harris was also briefed by the emergency director about their plans.
The Conor Pass is closed due to adverse weather conditions and heavy snowfall pic.twitter.com/PueahtCecs
— Kerry County Council - Comhairle Contae Chiarraí (@countykerry) January 4, 2025
WARNINGS REMAIN IN PLACE
A series of weather warnings came into effect on Saturday and remain in place, with status orange snow and ice warnings in place for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
These warnings took effect from 5pm on Saturday and will continue until 5pm on Sunday.
WARNING: Conditions deteriorating rapidly on N21 from Barna to Devon Cross. Ploughing and treating of road is taking place. Take extreme care in the area. Gritters also deployed for N20 and for Kilfinane to Kilmallock and Bruff to Croom. Roads in City Centre being treated. Report… pic.twitter.com/ghdzLMT6oY
— Limerick Council - Comhairle Luimnigh (@LimerickCouncil) January 4, 2025
A separate rain and snow warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
This warning came into effect at 5pm on Saturday and also runs for 24 hours.
These counties are also under a status yellow rain warning, which ran from 1pm on Saturday.
Snow is already beginning to fall in parts of the country, including Cork where one person has already claimed that up to 3cm of snow has already fallen.
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POTENTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURES
A number of sports events have been cancelled or postponed across the country, including the All-Ireland senior club championship, which was due to be held in Portlaoise.
Meanwhile, a status yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Connacht.
#Sneachta has arrived on high ground in Dublin.
Remember to...
🚘 Drive slowly, steer and brake gently
❄️ Braking distances increase
⚙️ Use high gears if possible
📸 Glencullen pic.twitter.com/w4ZjC6IGjQ
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 4, 2025
Met Eireann has warned that the cold snap will create difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.
Forecasters have also said that snow accumulations on Monday could cause schools to remain closed as the sub-zero temperatures stretch into next week.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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