Met Éireann Issues Status Orange Weather Warning

By Justin Kelly

Met Éireann has issued a status orange weather warning for all counties in Leinster and Munster as temperatures are set to plummet overnight. Air temperatures will drop as low as -6 degrees over the Midlands tonight, and a warning for icy and frosty conditions comes into effect at 8pm.

The warning remains valid until 10am tomorrow morning, February 5, and the weather may result in adverse driving conditions for early morning motorists. People are also told to expect some local bouts of fog, possibly freezing.

While Leinster and Munster receive the coldest forecasts, a status yellow weather warning is also in place for parts of the North and West of the country, including Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.

Motorists are being continually warned by the RSA and AA Roadwatch to exercise extreme care on the country’s roads during cold spells. Stopping distances need to be increased on icy roads, and fog or freezing fog will reduce visibility, making the distance between you and the car in front harder to gauge.

Following the taillights of another car (target-fixing) is extremely dangerous, and is said to lull drivers “into a false sense of security.” Motorists who engage in this type of driving are more likely to have a collision because of the inadequate stopping distance.

Drivers are told to refrain from pouring boiling water from a kettle directly onto their windscreens as this may result in cracks.

All Areas At Risk Of Snow And Ice In Coming Days

By Justin Kelly

Met Éireann has issued two status yellow weather warnings for the whole country, with wet and wintry conditions prevailing over the coming days.

A snow and ice warning came into effect at 6am this morning with Met Éireann expecting “wintry showers to bring snow accumulations of up to 3cm at lower levels during today and Thursday.” The warning puts “all areas at risk,” although most of the snowfall is expected in the north and west of the country.

The second status yellow warning relates to high winds that have been forecast for the whole country, with gusts reaching up to 110km/h in some areas. AA Roadwatch have joined the warning, telling motorists to expect “excess surface water and possible fallen debris from the windy conditions.”

The remainder of the week is forecast to remain cold with night time temperatures dipping as low as -3 or -4 degrees, while daytime temperatures will rarely rise above 5 degrees. As the temperatures plummet over the coming days, the possibility of more snowfall is prevalent in all areas.

Following the adverse weather warning, the Road Safety Authority have been urging motorists and pedestrians to remain cautious: “The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extra care when using the roads as showers in the coming days will turn wintry in the north and west, with a risk of icy patches in all areas,” a statement on their website read.

The RSA gave the following advice:

Check local and National weather forecasts before setting out on a journey. Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer.  Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.

·         Remove ALL snow from your vehicle before commencing your journey. Snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. It can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver.

·         In snow and icy conditions, manoeuvre gently, slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Too much steering is bad and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.

·         Remember that heavy snowfall and rain reduce visibility. Use dipped headlights and decrease speed smoothly.

·         To prevent windscreen wipers from freezing and seizing up in freezing fog, add anti-freeze screen washer to the water tank. Check that the wipers for wear and tear and replace them if they are.

·         Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front (Target Fixing). This can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely. In heavy fog, turn off your radio and let down your driver’s window a fraction, so as you can hear other traffic.

·         Watch out for "black ice." If the road looks polished or glossy it could be, black ice” one of winter's worst hazards: Black Ice is difficult to see! It is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. It can occur especially in sheltered / shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.

Pedestrians and cyclists are advised as follows:

·         While walking on footpaths and in public places, or entering and exiting your vehicle, DO NOT underestimate the danger of ice.

·         Many slips and falls happen in places people regard as safe and secure, typically outside their front door, on the door step, on the path or while getting out of the car. It is very possible that a thin sheet of transparent ice or “Black Ice” is covering your pathway putting you at risk. When you approach a footpath or roadway that appears to be covered with ice, always use extreme caution.

Offaly Issued With Wind Warning As Country Braces For Snow

By Justin Kelly

Met Éireann has issued five weather warnings tonight as the country prepares for another night of wintry conditions. Offaly has been included in a severe wind warning as winds are expected to reach gusts of over 130km/h. Other counties receiving wind warnings include: Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Tipperary.

The Met Éireann warning comes after a day of snowfall throughout the country, with some parts seeing as much as 8cm. Another snowfall warning is in place for the west of the country as an Atlantic storm sweeps wind and sleet toward Ireland. These showers will fall as snow in some areas, while the remnants of the storm will bring heavy rain to the midlands as it passes over the country. Met Éireann has included Offaly in its heavy rain warning for Wednesday.

Met Éireann meteorologist Joan Blackburn told the media that we “will see the snow showers turn from sleet to rain with storm force winds in the western and northern areas. After that we will be back to cold conditions with normal wintry showers.”

Temperatures will plummet as low as -2 degrees overnight, and AA Roadwatch has warned about early morning driving conditions. Motorists are encouraged to take caution with the risk of icy roads, while high winds may lead to partially fallen trees across the country. Gardaí have also called for care to be taken on the roads throughout the country as conditions deteriorate.

Age Action Ireland have also encouraged people to check in with elderly neighbours during the current cold snap. Spokesman Eamonn Timmins has said that Age Action has advised elderly people to “dress in several layers of clothing, and not to venture out in the slippery conditions.” These people are very vulnerable and may need help and support from neighbours,” he said. 

The current cold spell is set to last for the foreseeable future, with temperatures forecast to fall even further again early next week.