Many parts of Ireland are waking up this morning to snowfall and plenty of slush on the ground, while other parts are still experiencing heavy rain on what is expected to be a disruptive day on Irish roads.
A number of weather warnings remain in place this morning, Sunday January 5, as counties deal with various levels of snow, rain and ice as the big freeze sets in across the country. This comes after the Government’s national emergency co-ordination group (NECG) met on Saturday to advise leaders on what to expect over the coming days.
There are fears schools may have to postpone their scheduled re-opening after Christmas break as a result of the plunge in temperatures and treacherous conditions for travel.
READ MORE - Plumbing expert shares top tips to prevent pipes freezing as cold snap hits Ireland
READ MORE - 'Magic' button defrosts car windscreen instantly - leaving some drivers in disbelief
You can follow the progress of the new snowfall over the country using the live snow tracker below.
A Met Eireann Status Orange rain and snow warning remains in place for Cork, Kerry and Waterford until 5pm on Sunday as heavy rain turns to sleet and snow, with significant accumulations expected. As a result, there may be very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, public travel disruption, difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues in these areas. A Status Yellow rain warning is also in place for those three counties for this period.
Meanwhile, a Status Orange snow/ice warning will be valid for the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary until 5pm on Sunday with the same potential impacts as above.
There is a Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and all of Connacht until 5pm on Sunday, and a Status Yellow rain and snow warning for Wexford.
This comes ahead of a nationwide Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning coming into place for the country at 5pm on Sunday until midday on Monday as it will remain very cold with widespread frost and ice. This may lead to hazardous travelling conditions, icy patches and general disruption for public transport.
Emergency director Keith Leonard spoke to the Taoiseach and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien about the ongoing preparations.
"Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted – so I urge people to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey," he said.
"It’s important that drivers travelling longer journeys are aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
"Footpaths can also be extremely hazardous and slippery due to ice so please take extra care while walking.
"Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather, so I’d advise people to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area."
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
