The Government has issued advice to public to prepare for cold weather in coming days as they warned of potential "hazardous" driving conditions.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s (NDFEM) Crisis Management Team held a meeting on Wednesday with Met Éireann, the local authorities, key Departments and responding national organisations.
It comes as the country prepares for a short snap of very cold conditions combined with a high chance of snow and a Status Yellow snow-ice warning comes into effect later tonight.
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The NDFEM Crisis Management Team continues to monitor developments, liaising with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Crisis Management Teams who are actively monitoring ongoing weather conditions.
The key general public safety advice issued by the Department includes:
- Driving conditions may be hazardous into the weekend
- All road users should be aware of the potential for hazardous travelling conditions, particularly on untreated roads and allow extra time for all road journeys
- Motorists should slow down and be aware of the dangers posed by poor visibility during periods of falling sleet/snow
- Pedestrians should be aware for the potential of slips and falls in icy conditions particularly on untreated roads and footpaths
Weather Outlook
While there remains a level of uncertainty over where snowfall will occur and the likely levels of accumulation.
Met Éireann have issued a Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for the whole country valid from 3am on Thursday, March 9, to 11pm on Friday, March 10.
Rain, sleet and snow will spread northwards across the country later tonight (Wednesday night) and during Thursday accompanied by strengthening easterly winds.
Accumulations of snow are expected in many areas, particularly over high ground, along with icy conditions.
Sleet and snow will likely transition to rain in southern areas for a time.
There is an expectation of widespread icy stretches on Thursday night, 9th March into Friday morning, 10th March, with some further snow likely.
Met Éireann have issued a further Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Cavan, Dublin Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow valid from 23:00 Thursday 09/03/2023 to 07:00 Friday 10/03/2023.
National Forecast
TODAY - Wednesday 8th March
Very cold today. Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow in the southwest will extend into parts of Leinster this afternoon and evening.
It will be brighter and drier elsewhere with sunny spells and just isolated showers.
Highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees with light to moderate easterly winds, fresher in the southwest.
Wednesday night
Tonight will be cold and frosty with some icy stretches and lowest temperatures of -2 to 0 degrees.
It will start off mainly dry, apart from some wintry showers in the east.
However, after midnight, rain, sleet and snow will spread northeastwards over Munster and into southern parts of Leinster and Connacht with freshening easterly winds.
TOMORROW - Thursday 9th March
Thursday morning will be very cold with rain sleet and snow spreading northeastwards to most areas with poor visibility and very hazardous driving conditions.
In the afternoon, sleet and snow will continue over Ulster, Connacht and north Leinster, but will turn mainly to rain and sleet further south.
The northwest of Ulster may stay drier throughout, however. Temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees with fresh, easterly winds.
The NDFEM Crisis Management Team will continue to actively monitor this evolving situation working with Met Éireann, OPW and all Local Authorities.
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