Ireland's National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann, and various other stakeholders met on Wednesday morning, November 20, to discuss the weather warnings for low temperatures, snow, rain, and ice that are in place across the country.
Met Éireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, is predicting very cold temperatures over the next few days with widespread frost and ice.
Parts of the country can also expect significant snowfall accumulations leading to:
- very difficult travelling conditions
- poor visibility
- travel disruption
- disruption and delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus)
- difficult conditions underfoot
- animal welfare issues
NDFEM will continue to liaise with Met Éireann and is monitoring the situation.
Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) will continue to monitor conditions locally and Local Authorities have their emergency response teams in place, ready to respond where and when necessary.
The LGMA has coordinated with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to arrange for salt stocks to be distributed to all local authorities.
The National Transport Authority has contacted all public transport authorities in Dublin this morning to confirm that they were activating their winter plans in anticipation of potential disruption tomorrow morning.
Ireland's weather warning from Met Éireann
A Status Orange snow-ice warning was issued on Wednesday afternoon for Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, and Galway. The weather warning will be in place from midnight on Thursday morning until noon on Thursday.
Significant snowfall accumulations are expected, Met Éireann said in its weather warning, adding that impacts could include:
- Very difficult travelling conditions
- Poor visibility
- Travel disruption
- Disruption and delays to public transport
likely (air, rail, bus) - Difficult conditions underfoot
- Animal welfare issues
‼️Further Update on Orange Snow/Ice Warning starting at 00:00 until 12:00 21/11/2024➡️ Galway is added to the list➡️Clare Limerick & Tipperary https://t.co/VyLIOftd4o
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 20, 2024
A Status Orange snow and rain warning was issued on Wednesday morning for Counties Cork and Waterford. The weather warning will be in place from midnight on Thursday morning until noon on Thursday.
Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow is expected, Met Éireann said in its weather warning, adding that impacts could include:
- Very difficult travelling conditions
- Poor visibility
- Travel disruption
- Disruption and delays to public transport
likely (air, rail, bus) - Difficult conditions underfoot
- Animal welfare issues
- Flooding possible
‼️Updates⬇️
⚠️Orange Snow/Rain Warning for Cork & Waterford
➡️Heavy rain transitioning to sleet & snow⚠️Orange Snow/Ice Warning for Clare Limerick & Tipperary
➡️Significant snowfall accumulations expected⏰00:01 to 12:00 Thu 21/11/24
More ℹ️https://t.co/t2JoveRUyC pic.twitter.com/LhylvApSru
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 20, 2024
A Status Yellow low temperature/ ice warning is in place for all of Ireland. It was initially issued on Monday and was updated on Wednesday morning. The weather warning will be in place from 8 pm on Wednesday until noon on Thursday.
In its weather warning, Met Éireann predicts it will be "very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches."
Possible impacts include:
- Hazardous conditions on roads and paths
- Some travel disruption
A Status Yellow snow-ice warning was issued on Wednesday afternoon for Counties Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon. This weather warning is valid from 9 pm on Wednesday through noon on Thursday.
Snowfall accumulations are expected, Met Éireann said in its weather warning, adding that impacts could include:
- Hazardous travelling conditions
- Poor visibility
- Travel disruption
- Animal welfare issues
❗️Update on Yellow Snow/Ice Warning⚠️
➡️Dublin, Roscommon & Mayo added to the list➡️Carlow Kildare Kilkenny Laois Offaly Wexford Wicklow Galway & Munster
➡️Snowfall accumulations expected
⏰21:00 Wed to 12:00 Thu
ℹ️https://t.co/w5QtJ1UyEP pic.twitter.com/jZhmT1mieL
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 20, 2024
A Status Yellow ice warning, issued by the UK Met Office, is in place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone, and Derry from 4 pm on Wednesday through 10 am on Thursday.
Icy stretches will lead to some difficult travelling conditions in these counties.
Meanwhile, a Weather Advisory that was issued on Friday remains in place for Ireland until Saturday, November 23. In its advisory, Met Éireann warns that wintry hazards including frost and ice are likely with potential for sleet, snow, and hail for some.
A weather advisory has been issued as the weather becomes significantly colder. 📉 🥶
You can read more about this in our Meteorologist commentary 👇 📰https://t.co/7hiym4dvw9 pic.twitter.com/xKslRMJWVF
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 15, 2024
Ireland weather warning - Preparedness and advice
Keith Leonard, National Director of NDFEM, said on Wednesday: “Parts of the country may see very difficult travelling conditions over the coming hours. Driving conditions will be hazardous. Even where roads are gritted we are asking drivers to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
"We also know that footpaths can become extremely hazardous and slippery due to ice, so people should take extra care while walking too.
“I understand that there are 180,000 tonnes of salt stock available for this winter season and that arrangements have been made for salt stocks to be distributed to all local authorities in anticipation of the colder conditions on roads.
“The National Transport Authority have contacted all public transport authorities to confirm that they were activating their winter plans in anticipation of potential disruption tomorrow [Thursday] morning.
“With regard to rough sleepers during this cold spell, the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government’s Homeless Unit has been in ongoing communication with Regional Leads in relation to their Cold Weather Responses, advising of the expected cold weather spell and ensuring that they engage with service providers and outreach teams to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place for rough sleepers and users of emergency accommodation.
"The department have also provided additional funding to local authorities in order to ensure they have the necessary resources in place to activate their cold weather responses.
“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:
- check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours
- people are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication
- keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112
- monitor Met Éireann forecasts and / or visit the Met Éireann website for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources
- ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor the PowerCheck website
The Be Winter Ready website provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
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