The winter weather conditions and heavy snowfall which has caused road and school closures today could spread to Dublin and the east coast on Thursday night, with conditions that may see some schools potentially forced to close.

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for widespread snow and ice, effective until noon on Saturday. Tonight they have warned, it will be very cold with widespread severe frost and ice on untreated roads with lowest temperatures falling between -2 and -5 degrees.

“Tomorrow, Thursday will be very cold and windy with outbreaks of heavy rain turning to sleet or snow for a time over Connacht, Leinster and inland parts of Munster with the risk of snow accumulations over mountainous areas.”

We have updated the text of our current Status Yellow Snow-Ice warning. For full details please see https://t.co/oOxITrsnvw pic.twitter.com/XOhEtSZzC1

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 30, 2019

Going into tomorrow night, it is to be very cold and frosty overnight with icy roads and also some lying snow. “Frosty from the start over Ulster with some pockets of freezing fog. [It will be] windy for a time elsewhere with a mix of rain, sleet and snow. The snow is likely to be heaviest over much of Munster and south Leinster, with some significant accumulations in places,” Met Éireann added.

“Very cold conditions will persist until Sunday, including very frosty nights, with widespread icy conditions.”

School closures

The Department of Education advised that it is up to the school’s discretion to decide on closures depending on the severity of the weather as the week goes on.

“The Department’s advice to schools is to remain vigilant in the event of adverse weather conditions. Schools should monitor weather forecasts in order to be prepared for any severe weather which may affect the school,” a spokesperson told the Irish Independent. 

Driving with care

AA Roadwatch has also urged drivers to take extra care and to drive with extreme caution in hazardous conditions.

“Extra caution is needed on the roads in many parts of the country that are affected by snow. Frost and ice are likely on secondary routes and on high ground in particular. Remember, it takes up to ten times longer to stop on an icy road. In affected areas, slow down, keep further back from the vehicle in front and keep all manoeuvres gentle,” they advised.

Travellers have been advised to say in touch with transport operators as the cold spell continues.