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Updated at 9.45pm
PEOPLE ARE BEING advised to be cautious ahead of extremely cold weather forecast for this evening and tomorrow.
A forecast of up to 3cm of snow has been given for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, east Cork, Tipperary and Waterford between 6pm this evening and 4am tomorrow; while a nationwide warning has been issued for snow showers (that comes into effect from 6am until midnight tomorrow).
According to Met Éireann, temperatures in Dublin have already fallen below freezing (currently -1°C in Phoenix Park & the Airport).
The Road Safety Authority is warning motorists to exercise caution on the roads today as hazardous conditions on roads and footpaths are expected – particularly in the east.
Alone Ireland, which represents the elderly who live at home, advised people to check in on their neighbours and elderly relatives ahead of the cold weather.
Dublin Fire Brigade echoed this call: “Unfortunately we do see cases of hypothermia with vulnerable people in their own homes in weather that is expected tonight.”
There are lowest temperatures of between -3 and -5 degrees forecast in many parts of the country. Sharp and severe frost and icy patches are expected.
Be vigilant on the roads
The RSA and An Garda Síochána are asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of the conditions before setting out on a trip.
Gardaí warned that there may be hazardous conditions on roads and footpaths in Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, East Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.
The RSA has issued the following advice:
Gardaí added that motorists should not leave their cars unattended with the engine running, as a number of car thefts happen every frosty morning.
The RSA is also asking pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands. They are being asked to take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions.
Finally, pedestrians are being asked to walk on a footpath, not on the road. If there are no footpaths, they are being asked to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic.
With reporting by Hayley Halpin and Gráinne Ní Aodha
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“Snow accumulations of 0 to 3 cm are expected”…What’s an accumulation of 0 cm??
Is that a lot?
@Sean Scanlon: that’s the right amount to bring the country to a stand still. Lol!
@Sean Scanlon: catch-all tactic. If it doesn’t snow the weather folk are covered. Like the old “dry with occasional showers”..
@Sean Scanlon: I was checking the weather forecast recently and the temperaterure was to be -0°c… probably about the right conditions for 0cms of accumulated snow!
@Sean Scanlon: 30mm wow, next they will say maybe a inch of snow.
@Sean Scanlon: I love your smart ar$e comment.
It’s currently -21 here in northern Finland with an unlimited amount of snow and people are getting on with their lives, children are going to school. It’s so embarrassing how warnings are issued for literally nothing back home.
@David Lee: that’s expected and guaranteed where you are in finland so the elderly and disabled don’t need warnings, not so in ireland. It’s not rocket science, the warnings are not for everyone
@Dean Sanders: Ireland isn’t exactly off the west coast of Africa, so i’d safely say the odd cm of snow is to be expected in winter. You also missed my point.
@David Lee: Depends where you are in the country so that isn’t entirely true either.
@John’s Voyage: please enlighten me?
@David Lee: in countries where snow is guaranteed during winter they have the money and resources to invest in equipment and personnel to keep society moving. In Western Europe, where snow fall amounts can be very small to nothing during winter, it’s generally decided not to invest in such equipment or personnel, for fairly standard economic reasons. What we have here in Ireland is the bare minimum to keep main roads open during snow. If we were to get 2ft of snow for the next 2 weeks and the country was effectively shut down, you can be guaranteed that this time next year we’ll still have the same amount of personnel and equipment keeping infrastructure open. Horses for courses.
@David Lee:
So you’re embarrassed that a country which sees temperatures of -21 and large accumulations of snow every single winter for prolonged periods is better prepared than a country where it rarely snows?
You must die of mortification if your lace is open or fly is undone.
@David Lee: When I lived in Austin, TX the whole city would shut down for a light ground frost….residents would be advised not to drive and to leave taps dripping so they wouldn’t freeze. Having just moved from New York, I thought this was a very funny overreaction…however, as previous commenters have pointed out, you prepare for your normal weather and then react to the extreme. In most of Ireland we don’t get a lot of snow accumulation so people are not as proficient in dealing with it. Hence the advice and warnings.
But, if it makes you feel all smug and superior to belittle this go ahead….. who are we to rain on your parade……
@Mary Ryan: I was in Arizona once when It had a few light showers in a day. Have never seen so many car crashes in a day. Couple of decent smashes too. Horses for courses. Also left Moscow once at -16 and nearly froze when I arrived in Dublin at -1.
@Bilbo Baggins: That’s the thing here in Ireland, with the high humidity in the air, temperatures around 0° feel much lower, than let’s say -10°C in my hometown in Germany
@Larissa Caroline Nikolaus: absolutely right. I live in Wisconsin we’re at -14c at the moment I can survive that but a damp windy coldness in Ireland cuts through to your bones at +1 !! Still miss it though.
@David Lee: You sound like a teenage kid played by Harry Enfield telling his parents they’re “so embarrassing”, yet you’re the one whose chosen to spend winter in a place that gets to minus twenty degrees, while we’re at home in Ireland enjoying the novelty of a bit of weather, and – heaven forbid – even contemplating allowing our children a day off to enjoy their childhood.
As the severe winter weather approaches the government has advised to always carry the following when travelling:
A big coat
A torch
A big bag of salt
A spade
De-icer
An A-Z
A car phone charger
A high visibility jacket
And a warning triangle
I felt like a right tw&t on the bus
@Paul: only a light dusting of snow here in Waterford https://www.facebook.com/Davidoreillyphotos/photos/a.1864339223890755.1073741828.1864330420558302/1981321982192478/?type=3
The west and north seem to be getting a real bang of snow this year (which must be tiresome at this stage) and Dublin’s hardly gotten a dusting (not that I want any). I’ll be glad when the warmer weather kicks in for sure.
@Deborah Behan: Dublin and Leinster are included in the current warning.
@Deborah Behan: snow & skangers, no thanks
@Deborah Behan: I’d say we’ve had less than usual in Donegal…its just that snow has been in the news more because it has been falling further south.
Does Met Eireann have a quota that they must meet for the amount of warnings?
@Steve Austin: Steve I’m sure it’s not for your benefit they announce them , cause your Steve Austin after all. But spare a thought for the elderly who might value the cold weather information more, in regards to getting about or making sure they have enough fuel or food in to tie them over
@David Carino: You didn’t answer my question.
@Steve Austin: try Oscar Goldman or Rudy Wells for answers
@Steve Austin:
The answer is no, Steve.
They issue warnings based on their forecasts.
I would have thought that this is self-evident but happy to help you through this.
Bring it on. Tennis Rackets on your feet and two sweeping brushes under your armpits. No bother.
If there is snow/ ice surely we can expect to see no Cyclists on the roads/ footpaths.
@Dave barrett: using that logic we should expect to see no cars on the road as well.
@Dermot Lane: you will get some lame brain cyclist who will try to cycle on ice. At least u n a car you have greater chance of survival more so than if you fall from a bike
@Dave barrett: and in a car you have a greater chance of killing somebody else or multiples of people. So theoretically the bike is safer!
What colour underwear should I wear
@Paul: just make sure it’s clean in case you get run over or your mammy will be morto for ya!
@Paul: wear the pink ones you know they’re my favourites.
@Grumpyoldtroll: there at the ready
This is Motown weather
Three degrees
Four tops
Reading the hour-by-hour predictions on weather.com — they show coldest temps of 2 degrees in North Wicklow — I really doubt they’ll be much snow at ground level… MAAN!
Surely if snow and ice are predicted every day, it will eventually be an accurate prediction…
We need more global warming down here in cavan
Now doubt some silly name has already been put in place like “Storm Over-reaction”
@Donnacha Bhoicaire:
Commencing doubt now.
I await your further instructions.
twas a cold night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_El6fjqkvg&t=9s
@Ireland Just shoot me: this will seem really pedantic but why is it named as 2018 when it was in 2017?
Where do they get this information…its never accurate.. it’s annoying ..
have your say