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LAST UPDATE | 4 Mar 2019
MOTORISTS ARE BEING warned to be careful this morning following reports of icy conditions around the country.
A status yellow snow-ice warning was in place nationwide this morning until 8am.
Dublin - Wicklow MRT / TwitterROAD IMPASSABLE signs have been placed on the Sally Gap. After consultation with @GardaTraffic, severe weather protocol has been put in place due to heavy snowfall on high ground. Please use alternative routes and avoid upland roads. This picture was taken today on the Sally Gap. pic.twitter.com/FCLpExQnaN
— Dublin & Wicklow MRT (@DWMRT) March 3, 2019
AA Roadwatch said earlier this morning that icy conditions had been reported this morning around Carlow town, Naas, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Mullingar, Thurles and Wicklow town.
This comes after an evening of snowfall across the country yesterday, which affected a number of road routes.
A number of counties still remain affected by icy or slushy conditions, particularly Kildare, Laois and north Tipperary.
It will be frosty and foggy with lying snow in places this morning, according to Met Éireann.
There will be sunny spells in eastern areas, but heavy rain and hail showers will occasionally hit western counties. These showers will become widespread throughout the morning.
Some snow is expected on higher grounds in the west and north with isolated thunderstorms.
Temperatures will range between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius this morning.
Dublin Fire Brigade is asking the public to think about vulnerable friends, family and neighbours this morning following the drop in temperatures last night.
“How did they get on through the night? Do they have enough supplies? Give them a quick ring or text to see if they’re ok,” Dublin Fire Brigade said.
Dublin Fire Brigade / TwitterBig drop in temperatures overnight. Please think about vulnerable family, friends and neighbour this morning. How did they get on through the night? Do they have enough supplies? Give them a quick ring or text to see if they are okay. pic.twitter.com/zR3veP66ew
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 4, 2019
Warning to motorists
An Garda Síochána last night issued advice to motorists as a result of the icy weather.
Motorists are being asked to exercise caution and reduce speed on the roads.
They are being reminded:
In Wicklow, the Sally Gap has been closed due to dangerous road conditions, according to AA Roadwatch. Driving conditions on routes throughout the Wicklow Gap are also poor.
Slippery conditions have been reported on the N80 on the Stradbally side of Portlaoise in Laois.
In Kildare, motorists are being advised that the M7 northbound between Newbridge and Naas is icy.
Gardaí are reporting slippery conditions in north Tipperary, especially on the N62 between Thurles and Templemore, and on the Birr side of Roscrea, according to AA Roadwatch.
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‘Keep windows clear of snow’ – that should be to clear the entire car, now just windows as some people do, then brake in traffic and the entire contents of the roof of the car goes forward or similarly, on a motorway the inch of snow and ice on the roof is blown back into traffic behind! Only takes two mins to sort it out! I think I remember seeing elsewhere that it’s something you can get picked up on and fined, or points or both or vague something vague, can’t remember!
@ThatLJD: You are dead right, this morning I saw someone driving with just the snow removed from the drivers side so they could see out the front windscreen. Snow on every other inch of the car including the passenger side front windscreen? What the feck. Like when they cleared the driver side what would prompt you not to do the rest!
@Olivia: and you lived to tell the tale after that dramatic statement.
@ThatLJD: it’s illegal in Germany & the UK to drive with snow or ice on the surface of any vehicle including large vehicles although I’m not sure about Ireland.
@Mjhint: someone got jailed in the UK last year after they failed to properly clear a windscreen and ran down a pedestrian.
@Mjhint: But how do you clear snow of the roof of a trailer or coach ?
@Alan Brazil: big Al, you’ll be quiet next week for Cheltenham. You and Parlour are some boyos!
@ThatLJD: Chalk it down mate, I do like the odd flutter now and again as you well know.
@Olivia: Was behind a guy that didn’t bother his hole to clear snow from his rear windscreen or lights and I found it extremely hard to see when he was braking. Also goes to show he couldn’t be arsed to check his rear view mirror either. These idiots have no consideration for other road users and are basically putting everyone at risk when they get behind the wheel.
@Dave Byrne: With a rope or a tarp, and two people.
The media really do love to hype it up. They’re desperate for another red alert
@Kev: And here’s the generic whinge/moan. A lot of people got caught in this yesterday so it makes sense to report it.
@Kev: I was driving on packed snow and had no control of my car for some distance coming into Stradbally .. no joke for some people trying to get home.
@Kev: I was driving on packed snow and had no control of my car for some distance .. no joke for some people trying to get home.
@Kev:
I was driving on packed snow and had no control of my car for some distance .. no joke for some people trying to get home.
@Lorraine Mc Grath:
@Paul Furey: And here is the generic that loves sensationalist news. People knew about it yesterday nobody got caught. There was plenty of warning. Be it hyped that much more by some media outlets.
I wonder is there any subject they could write about that wouldn’t start an argument in the comments?
@TechBuzz Ireland: Really? Lol go back to bed pal
@Lorraine Mc Grath: Put cross climate tyres on and ya wont be having any dramatics.
@Lorraine Mc Grath: no control over your car and you still drove it?
Have to laugh met office gave us s hag all forwarding warning about this dump of snàchta that landed.Well done over paid tossers in Drumcondra.
@Woods PJ: and yet people complain when they do give warning, accusing them of scaremongering. Damned if the do, damned if they don’t.
@Woods PJ: it’s glasnevin but like yeah whatever
@Woods PJ: it’s glasnevin but like yeah whatever
@Woods PJ: it’s glasnevin but like yeah whatever!
@Woods PJ: they gave plenty of notice!
@bigbrownduck: Where?
@Woods PJ: Yes they did give warnings . People like you give out over alerts and still ignore them .
@Woods PJ: The Met Office HQ is in Exeter in the UK. Met Éireann’s head office is in Glasnevin. They did forecast the change in weather. It’s spelt “sneachta”. And I have no reason to believe their salaries are particularly high. But well done on your comment.
@Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa: Speaks the Fountain of Trivia.
@Vocal Outrage: The people complaining about too many warnings should be ignored to begin with since they’re free to dismiss the warning themselves if they wish. For everyone else it’s important to have as much information as possible to make sensible travelling conditions.
Why can’t some people just slow the hell down on the roads. Absolutely ridiculous
@davidjdelaney: they usually have the same kind of cars as well
There’s nothing in Wicklow Town and long may it last.
There’s a couple of good cafes, but you’re right, nothing other than that.
Winter , or at least all season tires people
have your say