LAST UPDATE | 9 Feb 2021

MOTORISTS WERE WARNED of treacherous conditions in some areas this morning, as a Status Yellow snow/ice warning is in place for eight eastern counties.

Met Éireann issued the warning yesterday evening for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow, Meath and Monaghan. 

This warning was extended this morning to include Cavan and Westmeath, and will last until 6pm tomorrow evening. It’s forecast that snow accumulations of 2 to 5cm will be seen in some areas. A similar warning is also in place for Antrim, Armagh, Down and Tyrone. 

The conditions are likely to worsen as the week goes on, particularly on Thursday with widespread snowfall and significant accumulations across the country. 

A further meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management took place today to review the weather forecast over the coming days.

In a statement, the Directorate said: “Wintry showers are likely to continue throughout Wednesday, mainly affecting the midlands, north Leinster and east Ulster.

“A yellow warning for snow / ice has been issued for Thursday for Munster, Connaught and Leinster. It is likely that precipitation will fall as snow, with accumulations leading to hazardous conditions in some areas. This has the potential for disruption to transport.

“There is a potential for wintry showers to continue in some areas into Friday, but current indications are for milder conditions for the weekend, albeit with rain in some areas also. 

Local authorities have outlined preparedness actions which local authorities are leading on, including:

• Making sure extra beds are available for homeless / rough sleepers in line with the Cold Weather Strategy 20/21;
• Road Treatment (winter maintenance)
• Activation of crisis management and an inter-agency response;
• Community Call staff in place to assist vulnerable and isolated persons; and
• Public communications of information and safety messages via local news media and social media.

With the snowy and icy conditions in many areas this morning, AA Roadwatch has said roads in a number of areas have been affected. 

Snow is affecting road conditions around Mullingar in Westmeath, Ashbourne in Meath, Naas in Kildare, Baltinglass in Wicklow, Carrick on Shannon in Leitrim, Longford town and the Bailieborough, Virginia, Kingscourt and Stradone Village areas in Cavan. 

There are icy conditions also in Monaghan and Drogheda, and frosty conditions in Waterford city and Naas. 

AA Roadwatch said: “Remember that a snow or hail shower can leads to a sudden change in conditions. If driving in slippery conditions, stay well back from whoever’s in front as it can take up to ten times longer to stop in snow or ice. Remember to keep manoeuvres gentle and slow down as well.”

In general, it’s set to be a cold day, with highest temperatures of just 1 to 3 degrees. Tonight will be bitterly cold with a widespread sharp to severe frost setting in. Temperatures will drop to between -5 and 0 degrees. 

Wintry showers of sleet and snow are forecast over the coming days with temperatures remaining low.