HEAVY SNOW and freezing temperatures are expected to affect much of the country later today as Ireland is hit by a severe cold weather system that is due to last well into next week.
Forecasters have issued weather warnings as freezing northwesterly Arctic air is expected to bring snow showers throughout the country tonight and tomorrow morning.
Highest temperatures are predicted to be zero to 3 degrees at best but it will feel substantially colder than the official forecast in the fresh northwesterly wind.
Forecaster Eoin Sherlock warned the wind chill factor will make it feel “a hell of a lot colder” than it did during the most recent cold spell.
An initial band of snow pushed inland from the north and north-west yesterday afternoon and heavy snowfalls were expected overnight in Ulster, parts of the midlands, north Leinster and west Munster. Winds gusting up to gale force were expected to create blizzard-like conditions in some places.
A further band of persistent snow is predicted to affect the rest of the country from the west this afternoon and tonight, and by tomorrow, much of the country is expected to have experienced substantial snowfalls.
Met Éireann has predicted 10cm (4in) of snow tonight and tomorrow, with high winds likely to cause drifting in places.
As much as 15cm of snow may fall in some exposed places and temperatures as low as minus 8 degrees can be expected overnight. Temperatures will fall even lower over snow fields.
Authorities expect existing supplies of grit and salt will be used to ease access to facilities such as hospitals and ports in the coming days.With only 15,000 tonnes of salt left in the State to keep key main roads open, before the next shipment is due next Wednesday, motorists are being advised to prepare for severe winter weather.
AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to restrict journeys to daylight hours and to stick to national primary roads where possible, as these will be prioritised for gritting.
Snow showers are expected to become more scattered as the weekend progresses. Dry periods are expected in the north and west from tomorrow afternoon but it will remain “very cold” with ice and compacted snow expected to contribute to hazardous driving conditions over the coming days.
Winds are expected to ease tomorrow evening but driving conditions are not expected to improve until later as freezing fog will develop in parts from tomorrow evening.
Many places will have dry periods on Sunday with prolonged periods of winter sunshine.
Some scattered snow showers have been predicted for next week but “a good deal” of dry weather is expected as well. However, it is expected to remain very cold and icy up to midweek at the earliest.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Centre has appealed for people to look in on the vulnerable and elderly in their community and its website has information on preparations people should take for the predicted cold weather.
The Dublin Airport Authority said it has crews in place to deal with ice or snow on the runways. Intending passengers are advised to consult with their airline’s website before coming to the airport.
A spokesman for Bus Éireann said the company will inspect routes daily from 4am. Once routes have been passed fit for use, the situation will be assessed on an “hour-by-hour” basis in consultation with local authorities and other agencies.
Iarnród Éireann said plans are in place to deal with any eventuality. Intending passengers are advised to visit dublinbus.ie or buseireann.ie for updates.
Local authorities are continuing to restrict water supplies at night, and householders have been urged not to leave taps running.
