From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) Crisis Management Team held a second virtual meeting today (Thursday 9 March) with Met Éireann, the local authorities, the Principal Response Agencies, key departments and responding national organisations.
The NDFEM CMT continue to liaise with Met Éireann to monitor the evolving weather situation. A further meeting of the group will take place at 11am on Friday 10 March.
Rain/sleet/Snow will spread northwards across the country today accompanied by strengthening winds. Accumulations of snow are considered likely in many areas along with icy conditions. A Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning is in effect for the whole country valid from 03:00 Thursday 09/03/2023 to 12:00 on Friday 10/03/2023.
Met Éireann have issued a Status Orange Snow/Ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Connacht, Longford, Louth, Meath and Westmeath valid from 11:00 Thursday 09/03/2023 to 00:00 Friday 10/03/2023. With significant accumulations of snow expected in some areas along with icy conditions.
A status Orange Snow Ice Warning for Leinster will come into effect from 00:00 Friday 10/03/2023 until 10:00 Friday 10/03/2023. Spells of sleet and snow are forecast overnight, combined with strong northerly winds. Significant accumulations of snow are expected in some areas by morning along with icy conditions.
NDFEM Crisis Management Team continues to monitor developments, liaising with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Crisis Management Teams who are actively monitoring the evolution of weather conditions.
All departments and agencies are relaying the public safety messages, aligned with the latest weather warnings issued.
Cold weather arrangements remain in place throughout the country to ensure that there is adequate capacity to prevent any need for rough sleeping during the current period.
The public should heed local authority advice on local conditions and are asked to monitor Met Éireann forecasts for updates on local conditions.
Weather conditions will be disruptive for travel tomorrow. Driving conditions may be particularly hazardous tomorrow morning during the busy commute morning times of 6am to 10am.
The public should note that local conditions will vary across the country and consider those conditions. Any travel arrangements should be planned carefully in advance of setting out.
All road users should be aware of the potential for hazardous travelling conditions, particularly on untreated roads and allow extra time for all road journeys.
Motorists should slow down and be aware of the dangers posed by poor visibility during periods of falling sleet/snow.
Pedestrians should be aware for the potential of slips and falls in icy conditions particularly on untreated roads and footpaths.
The decision to close a school rests with the school management authority taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially An Garda Síochána. Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks and having consulted, as appropriate, with school transport operators.
Some of the issues that schools take into account include:
Please note the latest Met Éireann Weather Warning.
The latest Met Éireann forecasts and warnings are available on the Met Éireann website.