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Walkers and dogs enjoying the snow in Johnstown Park, Glasnevin Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Live Blog

As It Happened: Heavy snowfall causing train cancellations, school closures and abandoned cars

Temperatures will drop as low as -1 degree tonight with some frost and icy patches possible.
8.07am, 1 Mar 2024
145k
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LAST UPDATE | 1 Mar

IT’S A COLD day out there with snow having fallen across large parts of the country.

Met Éireann has warned of the potential for icy stretches, poor visibility and hazardous travelling conditions in the areas where snow is falling.

Commuter services, including the line from Dublin to Rosslare, are affected in both directions, along with the Dart.

Here’s an overview of the current and upcoming weather warnings: 

  • A Status Yellow snow-ice warning is in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow and all of Munster until 6pm. 
  • A Status Yellow ice warning will kick in nationwide at 6pm and remain in place until 9am tomorrow. 
  • A Status Yellow rain warning will be in place in Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow between 3am and 3am tomorrow. 

Today is 1 March, the first day of spring for climatological and meteorological purposes. 

Catch up on the developments from this morning and early afternoon below. 

1 Mar 3:12PM

That’s all from us on the liveblog for now. 

Here’s a quick recap on today’s weather warnings: 

  • A Status Yellow snow-ice warning is in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow and all of Munster until 6pm. 
  • A Status Yellow ice warning will kick in nationwide at 6pm and remain in place until 9am tomorrow. 
  • A Status Yellow rain warning will be in place in Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow between 3am and 3am tomorrow. 
1 Mar 2:42PM

Misneach looks like he had lots of fun in the snow outside Áras an Uachtaráin this morning. 

Capture presidentirl / Instagram presidentirl / Instagram / Instagram

1 Mar 2:40PM

Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One, Met Éireann senior forecaster Gerry Murphy said sleet and snow is still falling over south Leinster and into Munster. 

Murphy said a certain amount of the snow will melt this afternoon and evening, but it will then freeze tonight. 

“There is a Yellow level ice warning for tonight because there will be a sharp frost on snow, slush, icy conditions, so there will be fairly treacherous conditions overnight and tomorrow morning,” he said. 

Murphy said that snow was expected, but that the threat of higher levels of snow became apparent only last night.

He said snow warnings were then issued at that point. 

“They were very short notice absolutely, and that was not much comfort for people struggling through snow this morning in rush hour,” Murphy said. 

He added that on the basis of hindsight, some places “would have warranted an Orange warning because a lot of snow fell in a very short amount of time”.

“But that is with the benefit of hindsight, snow is in a boarder line situation where it is rain, sleet or snow, it is notoriously tricky to forecast, and then there have been times that we have issued Yellow or Orange snow warnings and the snow it has gone the other way that it is mostly rain and sleet,” Murphy said.

1 Mar 2:22PM

The Journal‘s reporter Muiris O Cearbhaill had a busy lunch break building a really big snowman. 

What should he name it? 

IMG_2067 (1)

1 Mar 2:06PM

Irish Rail has issued an update regarding its services.

There ongoing delays and disruption to services due to snow impacting signalling equipment in Heuston. 

There are still no DART services between Lansdowne and Bray after a tree fell on the power lines near Merrion. 

1 Mar 2:03PM

1 Mar 2:02PM

Dublin City Council has said that due to poor weather conditions, all its pitches are off this weekend. 

1 Mar 1:57PM

Longford County Council has said that due to the early morning snow, there is continued disruption to travel on a number of roads this afternoon. 

The council deployed snow ploughs this morning and at this stage all the national roads are passable. However, it warned drivers need to be aware of the dangers of overtaking where there is slush in the middle of the road.

Crews are now proceeding to clear the regional roads as quickly as possible, the council said. 

Response crews are liaising with gardaí on site on the R397 which is closed between Keenagh and McGiff’s Cross, where a bus overturned. The bus is currently being removed and it is hoped that that route will be re-opened as soon as possible afterwards.

Numerous roads are also partially blocked by fallen or snow-laden trees.

With the thaw setting in, snow is already falling off these trees and causing mini drifts along the roads, the council said. 

“Snow ploughs and road crews will continue to deal with these for the rest of the day so there may well be some intermittent road closures as a result in places,” it said. 

“Longford County Council is urging people not to make any unnecessary journeys today, until road conditions have improved and for those who must travel, please proceed with caution and allow extra time for your journey.”

1 Mar 1:55PM

In a message circulated to members, Dublin Camogie said it is postponing all club games this weekend due to the current weather conditions. 

1 Mar 1:44PM

A significant amount of flights to and from Dublin Airport are experiencing delays this afternoon. 

Here’s just a snippet of the departures schedule this afternoon: 

dublinairprot www.dublinairport.com www.dublinairport.com

In a post on X at 9.30am, Dublin Airport said it was operating as normal.

It said its snow and ice teams were on site throughout the night and a full runway sweep and spray began at 8am. 

Passengers are being advised to make their way to Dublin Airport as normal today and to check directly with their airline for updates on their flight. 

1 Mar 1:40PM

horses-on-the-gallops-at-the-curragh-racecourse-co-kildare-falling-sleet-and-snow-in-parts-of-ireland-have-led-to-some-travel-disruption-the-irish-weather-agency-met-eireann-issued-weather-warning Horses on the gallops at the Curragh racecourse, Co Kildare today Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

1 Mar 1:01PM

Irish Rail has also advised that Phoenix Park Tunnel services are suspended until further notice.

It says that delays on the Maynooth lines are in the region of 30-40 minutes at present.

1 Mar 12:40PM

Train and Dart stoppages

All Dart and train services from Landsdowne to Bray have been suspended.

It’s also affected train services using the same line travelling in both directions, including the service stretching to Rosslare.

Irish Rail told The Journal that there will be no more southbound trains from Lansdowne until further notice.

It follows a tree falling down on the lines.

A spokesperson said that it’s hoped the line will be clear later this afternoon.

1 Mar 12:21PM

South Dublin County Council has closed Military Road near the Wicklow Mountains due to the conditions.

It’s also said that gardaí have cleared a car stuck on the Balliniscorney Road near Brittas and have asked that the members of the public “avoid highland areas” as SDCC staff attempt to maintain access.

1 Mar 11:49AM

A meteorologist at Met Éireann has said it was not clear until this morning that the snow was going to be as widespread and heavy as it is. 

Brandon Creagh told RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Claire Byrne that snow is “notoriously” difficult to forecast. 

He said if Met Éireann had a crystal ball “that we knew exactly what was going to happen maybe that would have been an orange warning” instead of the current yellow weather warning in some areas. 

Creagh said the warning was issued based on the most solid evidence “at the time”. 

“Given the risk at the time we do not take our warnings lightly at all and we cannot over warn otherwise people will not believe the orange warning when they come,” he said.

The meteorologist said it is the east of the country which is most likely to get the most persistent amounts of precipitation falls but as it moves south it will turn to rain. 

He said nothing like the snow today is expected tomorrow. 

1 Mar 11:41AM

Dublin Bus has said there are still a number of disruptions to its services. 

  • Route 44 is operating to and from Kilternan only. It is unable to serve Enniskerry, Larkhill and Sandyford Village.
  • Route 40 is unable to serve Cardiffsbridge Road and has been diverted via N2 in both directions.
  • Route 46a towards Phoenix Park is unable to to serve Foxrock Avenue, Foxrock Park, Deansgrange Village and Kill Lane. The route towards Dún Laoghaire is operating normally. 
  • Route 123 is operating to and from Ballybough Bridge/Summerhill only. Is is unable to serve the Marino area.
1 Mar 11:28AM

POWER OUTAGES

A “few thousand” customers are without power around the country this morning, a spokesperson for ESB Networks has said. 

There are a number of outages in Longford, west Cavan and south Leitrim as a result of snowfall in those areas. ESB crews are mobilised in these areas now. 

“While treacherous travelling conditions are posing a challenge in accessing fault sites, we working towards restoring power to all customers over the course of the day,” the spokesperson said. 

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused,” they said.

Updates and estimated restoration times are available on powercheck.ie.

1 Mar 11:19AM

Dublin City Council’s road maintenance servicees are out gritting roads around the capital this morning. 

1 Mar 11:11AM

Irish Rail has said there is significant disruption to Sligo, Maynooth and Phoenix Park services between Glasnevin and Connolly. 

The DART is also suspended between Sandymount and Blackrock. 

The Luas Red Line services are operating with delay due to operational issues.

1 Mar 11:07AM

Dublin Zoo will remain closed today due to snowfall. 

1 Mar 10:54AM

Met Éireann has now issued a further ice warning, this time for the whole country. 

The warning will kick in at 9pm and will remain in place until 9am tomorrow. 

The forecaster said it will be “cold tonight with ice on untreated surfaces leading to hazardous travelling conditions”. 

1 Mar 10:45AM

A pitch inspection is due to take place at Dalymount Park at 3.30pm to determine if tonight’s game between Bohs and Dundalk can take place. 

1 Mar 10:34AM

A number of roads are partially blocked in Co Longford. 

Snow ploughs are being deployed to these locations on a priority basis, with national and regional routes being addressed first, Longford County Council has said. 

The N55 and the R194 appear to be the worst impacted by the snow, the council said. Currently, the N4 appears to be passable with care.

“Longford County Council salting trucks were out last night and again early this morning.
Reports have also been received of debris from trees on some roads, which may impact on nearby powerlines. Crews are responding so please proceed with caution, and do not attempt to touch any fallen wires,” the council said. 

People in Longford are being asked not to make any unnecessary journeys today until road conditions have improved.

1 Mar 10:25AM

DART services have been suspended until further notice between Blackrock and Sandymount due to an issue with the overhead lines. 

1 Mar 10:18AM

Here are some scenes from Dublin this morning. 

Snow warning-12_90700244 (1) Heavy traffic on Ballygall Road East, Glasnevin Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Snow warning-8_90700240 A dog enjoying the snow in Johnstown Park, Glasnevin Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Snow warning-7_90700241 Walkers and dogs enjoying the snow in Johnstown Park, Glasnevin Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

1 Mar 10:13AM

Wicklow County Council is reporting that traffic is stuck in snow on the R755 at Calary. 

The snow plough cannot get through due to traffic. 

The Council is also reporting that the R761 Bray-Greystones Road at Wingates is currently blocked with traffic.

1 Mar 10:09AM

Little Pudsy in Knocklyon, Co Dublin doesn’t seem too impressed with the weather conditions today. 

a2b97dc5-69cd-4598-84ca-ece7393a06d1

1 Mar 10:03AM

Here’s some advice from An Garda Síochána regarding staying safe on the roads today. 

1 Mar 10:02AM

There are reports of very difficult travel conditions on the M50 this morning. 

LiveDrive has reported that traffic on the on-ramp to the M50 northbound at Junction 13 Dundrum can’t get up the hill due to the weather conditions. 

The road is reportedly blocked and drivers are abandoning cars. 

1 Mar 9:48AM

Dublin Airport is operating as normal this morning. 

It’s snow and ice teams were on site throughout the night and a full runway sweep and spray began at 8am. 

Passengers are advised to make their way to Dublin Airport as normal today and to check directly with their airline for updates on their flight. 

1 Mar 9:45AM

WEATHER WARNING UPDATE

Met Éireann has extended one of its snow-ice warnings. 

A Status Yellow snow-ice warning is now in place for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Westmeath, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo until midday. 

1 Mar 9:40AM

RTÉ’s Samantha Libreri has shared some scenes from the seafront in Clontarf, Dublin this morning. 

1 Mar 9:16AM

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

Dublin Bus is advising commuters that there is disruption to some services due to the weather conditions. 

Route 44 is unable to serve Larkhill and Sandyford Village in both directions.

Route 44b will not operate from Glencullen at 9.20am.

Route 123 towards Marino is unable to serve Philipsburgh Avenue and is being diverted via Fairview and Malahide Road. The route towards Walkinstown is operating as normal. 

1 Mar 9:10AM

Wicklow County Council has said roads will be gritted on the Baltinglass, Blessington, Roundwood and Long Hill routes from 9.30am. 

However, it warned that people should never assume any road surface is treated and to drive to the condition of the road. 

1 Mar 9:07AM

Looking at the general forecast for the next couple of days, Met Éireann has said rain, sleet and snow in Ulster and north Leinster will move southwards across the rest of the country throughout today day, falling mostly as rain by this afternoon.

Hail and isolated thunderstorms are possible, too.

Drier conditions are expected to follow in the northwest during this afternoon.

Tonight, remaining rain in eastern counties is due to become patchy and clear southeastwards overnight.

Elsewhere, it will be mainly dry with clear spells early on, however, scattered showers will feed down from the north later, mainly affecting western and northern counties.

Met Éireann said some of the showers may be heavy with a chance of hail.

Temperatures will drop as low as -1 degree tonight with some frost and icy patches possible.

Tomorrow is forecast to bring a mix of sunny spells and showers, some heavy with a chance of hail.

Showers are due to become more isolated tomorrow night with long and clear spells developing.

Temperatures tomorrow night are forecast to drop as low as -2 degrees.

Sunday is expected to be a bright day with sunny spells and scattered showers, becoming isolated towards evening.

1 Mar 8:58AM

Dublin Fire Brigade and the Road Safety Authority have issued some advice to motorists on staying safe on the roads. 

1 Mar 8:56AM

A reader of The Journal has sent in a photo of their view in Longford this morning. 

unnamed (12) Christina Brennan-Seery Christina Brennan-Seery

1 Mar 8:51AM

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

There are numerous delays and cancellations to Irish Rail services this morning. 

1 Mar 8:44AM

Cavan County Council is warning of “extremely challenging” road conditions following heavy snow overnight. Motorists are being advised not to travel in the area. 

It said a number of HGVs are struck at loctions across the road network with heavy pockets of snow making roads impassable. 

1 Mar 8:42AM

Hello, Hayley Halpin here. I’ll be keeping you up to date over the next while.

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