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Live BlogLAST UPDATE | 1 Mar 2024
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:
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.
That’s all from us on the liveblog for now.
Here’s a quick recap on today’s weather warnings:
Misneach looks like he had lots of fun in the snow outside Áras an Uachtaráin this morning.
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.
The Journal‘s reporter Muiris O Cearbhaill had a busy lunch break building a really big snowman.
What should he name it?
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.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) March 1, 2024
Ongoing delays and disruption to services due to snow impacting signalling equipment in Heuston.
No DART services Lansdowne to Bray.
A tree fell on the power lines near Merrion.
Dublin bus accepting rail tickets.
Update to follow. -CL https://t.co/9qFdPnxVkO
Avoid upland areas of Wicklow unless you have suitable vehicle. Wicklow Gap has heavy snow falling, snow ploughs are working on the route but some vehicles have gone off the road already. pic.twitter.com/3Ajawtr71v
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) March 1, 2024
Dublin City Council has said that due to poor weather conditions, all its pitches are off this weekend.
Due to the poor weather conditions, all Dublin City Council pitches are off this weekend: https://t.co/4OETdvIvnp pic.twitter.com/jDE3whXOFw
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) March 1, 2024
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.”
In a message circulated to members, Dublin Camogie said it is postponing all club games this weekend due to the current weather conditions.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Military road is being closed on safety grounds.
— South Dublin County Council (@sdublincoco) March 1, 2024
Location of closure (at Killakee Viewpoint car park) below⬇️
Reminder to avoid travelling to upland areas during hazardous weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/8Y1IXvdmoQ
Flooding has been reported on the M50′s Junction 6 Blanchardstown southbound to the N3 north.
🚨Attention drivers! 🚨
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) March 1, 2024
Flooding reported on the slip road from M50 J06 -
BLANCHARDSTOWN southbound to N3 North.
Drive with caution and reduce speed.#TII #SlowDown @GardaTraffic @LiveDrive @DCCTraffic @DubFireBrigade pic.twitter.com/DQkwLrmmXI
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.
Dublin Bus has said there are still a number of disruptions to its services.
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.
Dublin City Council’s road maintenance servicees are out gritting roads around the capital this morning.
Gritting is continuing throughout the city this morning as our Road Maintenance Services are out and about clearing snow from roads and footpaths. pic.twitter.com/DpRDaNX4NH
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) March 1, 2024
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.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) March 1, 2024
Significant disruption to Sligo/Maynooth/Phoenix Park services between Glasnevin and Connolly.
DART suspended Sandymount and Blackrock, Dublin bus accepting rail tickets.
Delays and disruption due to weather-impacting signalling in Connolly and Glasnevin.
-CL https://t.co/JobYxXqgts
The Luas Red Line services are operating with delay due to operational issues.
Please be advised Red Line services are operating with delays due to operational issues. Please allow extra time if you are travelling. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
— Luas (@Luas) March 1, 2024
Dublin Zoo will remain closed today due to snowfall.
Due to snowfall, Dublin Zoo will be CLOSED today, Friday 1st March.
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) March 1, 2024
We plan to welcome visitors back to the Zoo tomorrow, Saturday 2nd March. Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates. Visitors who booked to visit Dublin Zoo today please contact info@dublinzoo.ie pic.twitter.com/CplgMPnpnM
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”.
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.
❄️ There will be a pitch inspection at Dalymount Park at 3.30pm to determine if tonight’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division game against Dundalk can proceed. pic.twitter.com/3RzsHo8AhW
— Bohemian Football Club (@bfcdublin) March 1, 2024
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.
DART services have been suspended until further notice between Blackrock and Sandymount due to an issue with the overhead lines.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) March 1, 2024
DART services have been suspended until further notice between Blackrock and Sandymount due to an issue with the overpower lines.
Dublin bus accepting rail tickets.
Update to follow. -CL https://t.co/AVuFTQ8rPo
TRAFFIC UPDATE
Junction 13 at Dundrum on the M50 is now closed in both directions due to heavy snowfall.
Attention!
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) March 1, 2024
M50 J13 - DUNDRUM is closed in both directions due to heavy snowfall.
Avoid the area and seek alternate routes to your destination.
Drive with care!#TII #Slowdown @GardaTraffic @DCCTraffic @LiveDrive @DubFireBrigade pic.twitter.com/Q3L0KUmgby
Here are some scenes from Dublin this morning.
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.
⚠️ROAD ALERT ⚠️
— Wicklow County Council (@wicklowcoco) March 1, 2024
Traffic is stuck in snow on the R755 at Calary. The snow plough cannot get through due to traffic. Motorists are requested to stay away from this road.#Wicklow #YourCouncil #Bray
The Council is also reporting that the R761 Bray-Greystones Road at Wingates is currently blocked with traffic.
⚠️ROAD ALERT ⚠️
— Wicklow County Council (@wicklowcoco) March 1, 2024
R761 Bray Greystones Rd at Wingates is currently blocked with stuck traffic. #Wicklow #YourCouncil
Little Pudsy in Knocklyon, Co Dublin doesn’t seem too impressed with the weather conditions today.
Here’s some advice from An Garda Síochána regarding staying safe on the roads today.
As many parts of the country have had rain, sleet and snow fall - road conditions are poor.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) March 1, 2024
Please be safe on the roads by taking extra caution.
❄️ Drive slowly
❄️ Have your lights on
❄️ Leave good braking distance
We ask pedestrians and cyclists to be careful too.#Sneachta
Sligo County Council’s outdoor crews have cleared the fallen tree at Far Finisklin Road and the road has now reopened.
Our outdoor crews have cleared the fallen tree at Far Finisklin Road and the road is now reopened. @aaroadwatch @FireSligo @OceanFmIreland https://t.co/zKEzYHiGfI
— Sligo County Council (@sligococo) March 1, 2024
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.
⚠️M50 J13 Dundrum⚠️
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) March 1, 2024
Major issues at J13 Dundrum, traffic on the on-ramp to the M50 northbound can't get up the hill due to poor weather conditions. The road is blocked and drivers are now abandoning their cars
Tune to 103.2 @dublincityfm for updates@TFIupdates @DCCTraffic
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.
Dublin Airport is operating as normal this morning. Our snow & ice teams were on site throughout the night to make sure the busy first wave of flights departed smoothly. A full runway sweep & spray commenced at 8am, ensuring both north & south runways remain operational. ❄️ pic.twitter.com/j36vWnRFpO
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 1, 2024
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.
If you spot someone sleeping rough in Dublin, you can report to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
RTÉ’s Samantha Libreri has shared some scenes from the seafront in Clontarf, Dublin this morning.
Snow in Clontarf in north Dublin is a rare sight. Poolbeg towers barely visible across Dublin bay. Trek to school slow and slushy and filled with snowballs @rtenews pic.twitter.com/c2ulAWqfCw
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) March 1, 2024
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.
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.
Gritting will occur today, 1/03/2024 from 09.30 on the Baltinglass, Blessington, Roundwood, & Long Hill routes.
— Wicklow County Council (@wicklowcoco) March 1, 2024
Never assume any road surface is treated, & drive to the condition of the road.
For details on #Wicklow County Council gritting routes, visit https://t.co/03JNWG4eTD pic.twitter.com/QIax1wfpOh
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.
Dublin Fire Brigade and the Road Safety Authority have issued some advice to motorists on staying safe on the roads.
⚠️ Yellow Weather Warning – Rainfall ⚠️
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) February 29, 2024
📍 Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wicklow
📆 Friday 1, 3am – Sat 2, 3am
Persistent rain, with a mix of sleet and snow at times. Potential impacts:
• Localised flooding
• Hazardous travelling conditions #DriveSafe pic.twitter.com/RDFxGjX0bx
#Sneachta
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 1, 2024
Road conditions are poor aa snow begins to fall in Dublin and on high ground
🚘 Drive slowly, steer and brake gently
🌨 Wiper on, lights on
❄️ Braking distances increase
⚙️ Use high gears if possible
📸 Glencullen and South Dublin pic.twitter.com/6rV5uzOUTn
A reader of The Journal has sent in a photo of their view in Longford this morning.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are numerous delays and cancellations to Irish Rail services this morning.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) March 1, 2024
08:40 Maynooth to Connolly has been cancelled.
09:10 Maynooth to Connolly will operate.
Ongoing delays of approximately 20 minutes are expected on DART/Commuter services.
A weather-related signalling issue in Connolly is leading to delays.
Update to follow. -CL https://t.co/KuQBIzLDHL
Sligo County Council has reported a fallen tree on Far Finisklin Road.
People are being asked to use alternative routes.
❗️Tree down on the Far Finisklin Road. The road will be closed for a few hours today. Please use alternative routes.@oceanfmireland @firesligo @aaroadwatch @sligo pic.twitter.com/Kl3izcKYUa
— Sligo County Council (@sligococo) March 1, 2024
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.
Following an unforecast heavy fall of snow overnight, road conditions are extremely challenging and motorists are advised not to travel. A number of HGVs are stuck at locations across the road network with heavy pockets of snow making roads impassable pic.twitter.com/wFIWx3u59a
— Cavan County Council (@cavancoco) March 1, 2024
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Apple Green. Keep the extortionate prices down and make some decent filled rolls unlike Topaz and you won’t go far wrong with the public.
Too late.
Topaz deli and coffee is awful.
Most Apple greens are nice and as I driver I appreciate their clean customer toilets the most!
You can spent €100 on diesel in Topaz to be told “sorry there’s no loo. Have some of our watery coffee”
Support local. Buy local.
I refuse to buy any petrol that wasn’t pulled from the ground on these very isles! I’ve been stranded on quite a few occasions and my car hasn’t moved since it ran out of fuel the day I bought it but I’m not changing my ways!
Hope the sub contractors get paid this time unlike what happened at the Lusk service station when it was built.
Not Applegreens fault, they paid the principal contractor who in turn shirt changed the sub contractors.
I should stand to be corrected on that bit that’s what I can recall from memory.
Applegreen is a great spot. Take kids to one in Castlrbellingham. Inside play area is great. Long haul lorry driver appreciate it, a safe place to pull in for the night grab a shower etc.
All good.
The thing you have to remember before you spout the “Buy Irish / Support Irish Jobs” nonsense, is that there are far more people living outside Ireland who consider themselves Irish than there are living on this island.
Therefore when you buy “foreign”, there’s a good chance that you’re supporting somebody who had to emigrate, or the company that game them a job when they had to emigrate, or their descendants. .
Neal,
Correct also what would happen to the economy if trading partners decided to stop buying Irish and to “buy local” think we’d be in a bit of a mess. It’s a 2edged sword
well done Neal, this has to be the stupidest thing I have ever read on the journal. regarding those who “had” to emigrate surely creating jobs in Ireland would enable them to come home.
What about all the family run garages that they will close down, like tesco, lidl and aldi, Irish money making British and German filthy rich companies richer and Irish stores to suffer and close.
People have voted with their feet and / or their level of disposable income.
I’m prob worse than anyone when it comes to aldi or apple green ye gotta love a deal, but that’s because they can buy in such big bulk. The smaller business can’t compete with that, I don’t own a store or know anyone who does, I just think it’s wrong because they open so many stores it doesn’t mean the demand for petrol will be greater it means some small business will eventually close and another Irish family will lose jobs.
Ben applegreen dont really use their economy of scale to keep fuel prices down. I generally find they are the same as any other garage around them price wise.
They sell bad fuel . Low mileage
Anything on where the 6 are?
Just to point out Applegreen is a 100 percent owned and run Irish company that now also branched to the UK and the US. A company that is very modest about their success.
Where are all the shinners complaining about these jobs? Actually where have the shinner bots gone since the elections. It is like the tap has been turned off. And criticism from Gerry and all of the Government has quietened a lot too. Seems they are preparing for Government by pretending they always supported austerity.
Because Applegreen don’t sell dodgy Shinner diesel.
Apple green come in open up company owned sites which eliminate small family businesses.
They use their economies of scale to create price wars and eventually the family owned stores die out. E.g Ennis
These news stories shouldn’t get praise for opening new stores as they will force close others.
You can’t create extra demand for Fuel
There is no service station off the motorway from Dublin to Waterford. (among other long stretches) What they are offering is a product to service motor way traffic not set up in the middle of your town. They are badly needed unless you want children to go to the toilet on the side of the road .
More profit in Lucoazade than petrol
have your say