LAST UPDATE | 20 Nov

A STATUS YELLOW weather warning for snow and ice has taken effect in Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Westmeath, Longford and all of Munster.

Temperatures of as low as minus four degrees are expected in some areas, in what Met Éireann has labelled the “first cold snap of the season“.  

A nationwide Status Yellow low temperature warning kicked in at 8pm. 

Additionally, six counties will be under two respective Status Orange snow warnings from midnight until midday tomorrow.

Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway will be under an Orange snow-ice warning, while Cork and Waterford will be under an Orange snow and rain warning, from midnight.

People in all of the six counties under an Orange warning should expect very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, disruptions to public transport, poor road and footpath conditions, and animal welfare issues, according to Met Éireann.

The weather service expects “significant snowfall” in counties affected by the Orange warnings – especially Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway.

Deputy Head of Forecasting, Liz Coleman, gives us a summary of the complex #snow set up expected.

⚠️ Don’t forget to stay up to date with the warnings: https://t.co/lvQFgW9biq pic.twitter.com/jyWNcORTT4

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 20, 2024

The following warnings have been issued by Met Éireann: 

• Status Yellow – snow-ice warning for Clare, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon: valid from 3.30pm until 9pm (this will become an Orange warning later, see below)
• Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning for Ireland: valid from 8pm today until noon tomorrow 
• Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Munster, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, Dublin, Roscommon and Mayo: valid from 9pm today until midday tomorrow 
• Status Orange snow-ice warning for Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway (significant snowfall accumulations expected): valid from midnight until noon tomorrow 
• Status Orange snow and rain warning for Cork and Waterford (heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow; flooding possible): valid from midnight until midday tomorrow

‼️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

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann and various other stakeholders met earlier today to discuss the weather warnings.

Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) will continue to monitor conditions locally and councils have emergency response teams in place, ready to respond where and when necessary, a statement from the NDFEM said.

The Local Government Management Agency has coordinated with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to arrange for salt stocks to be distributed to all local authorities, the statement added.

The National Transport Authority has contacted all public transport authorities in Dublin to confirm they are activating their winter plans in anticipation of potential disruption tomorrow morning.

Hazardous driving conditions 

Speaking after the meeting, Keith Leonard, National Director of the NDFEM, said: “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.”

Leonard said 180,000 tonnes of salt stock are available for this winter season and arrangements have been made for salt stocks to be distributed to all local authorities.

Our Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this morning ahead of a @MetEireann Status Orange Snow and Rain warning for Cork. The warning comes into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in place until midday tomorrow.

Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow is… pic.twitter.com/PSJkeFSC7D

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) November 20, 2024

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has issued the following advice for motorists:

• Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before starting your journey; snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, affecting your vision 
• Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, use a screen scraper and deicer; do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass
• Remember it takes longer to stop in and snow and icy conditions; slow down, use all controls delicately and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front
• Drivers of high-sided vehicles like trucks and buses are particularly at risk from the dangers posed by snow and from the high winds associated with heavy snow conditions
• Use dipped headlights at all times, and fog lights in heavy snow, to ensure you are seen by other motorists 
• If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route; do not attempt to drive through it, flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think

Homeless and other vulnerable groups

Amid concerns for rough sleepers, Leonard said the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government’s Homeless Unit is in “ongoing communication” with regional partners about the issue.

He noted that the department has provided additional funding to local authorities “to ensure they have the necessary resources in place to activate their cold weather responses”.

As well as its usual homeless outreach programme, Waterford City and County Council said extra capacity has been made available at McGwire House, Bath Street, Waterford, where homeless men and women can avail of shelter (call 051 879930 for more information).

Women and children fleeing domestic violence in Waterford should present at Oasis House, 71 Morrisson’s Road (call 051 370367 for more details).

People around the country have been asked to check in on their elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours in the coming days.

No one should face this festive season sleeping rough in the freezing cold. Our Outreach Team, operating 365 days a year, are working incredibly hard to support and prioritise those most vulnerable during this cold spell. pic.twitter.com/i00vhLtsHM

— Dublin Simon (@Dublin_Simon) November 18, 2024

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for special measures to be taken at University Hospital Limerick, including the cancellation of all non-urgent elective care, in light of the weather warnings.

Colm Porter, INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, said: “There is already an unacceptable and dangerous amount of patients on trolleys in UHL, 116 today alone…

“Hospital management must now make it their focus to de-escalate the number of patients being admitted on trolleys.”

Cork County Council

Ahead of the Status Orange warning for Cork at midnight, Cork County Council has said that its “full fleet” has been deployed to carry out pre-emptive gritting on top “priority” routes.

“Motorists are being urged to avoid unnecessary journeys and drive with extreme care even on roads that have been gritted. If a journey must be undertaken, please slow down, allow extra time and be aware of other roads users, especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists,” the council said in a statement.

The council’s crews will repeat salting and gritting from early tomorrow morning, it said, progressing on a priority basis and targeting areas most affected.

Local crews will also be activated in urban areas to address key locations, it said this evening.

“Members of the public are advised to be mindful of icy surface conditions and to take extra care while walking; check on vulnerable and isolated neighbours; and to keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.”

Contains additional reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill and Lauren Boland