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Statement from the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather

Key Public Information Messages
Be aware of your local weather conditions
Check national, local and social media for updates
Listen to TV or radio bulletins and check the weather forecast before you undertake a journey
Driving conditions may be hazardous over the weekend and into Monday
Allow extra time for all road journeys and drive carefully, having regard to specific road conditions
Avoid higher altitude areas where possible
Wrap up warm when venturing outdoors
Be aware of the danger of slips and falls in icy conditions
Practical advice on how best to prepare for winter conditions is available from www.winterready.ie


Report of the National Emergency Coordination Group meeting
A National Emergency Coordination Group was convened today (08 December 2017) in anticipation of predicted snowfall over a significant part of the country from Saturday night and through into Sunday.
An ORANGE level weather warning is in place for snow and ice on Saturday night and Sunday next. The forecast for Saturday night and Sunday is for heavy rain moving up from the South, with localised spot flooding expected along with brisk, variable East to North East winds. As the rain moves up across the country, it will meet very cold air, and is predicted to turn to snow, which may be heavy across the country. Most areas of the country will experience either heavy rainfall or heavy snowfall on Saturday night/ Sunday.
Today’s NECG meeting was to anticipate the issues that may arise from the snowfall event and to review the preparedness and arrangements across all sectors, including the Transport sector which may be impacted in particular.
In addition to their normal road salting arrangements in frosty conditions, local authorities will activate their severe weather assessment teams to review conditions and will be working over the weekend in collaboration with other services to deal with issues which arise.
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has also been working with local authorities to ensure that their Cold Weather Initiatives for Rough Sleepers are in place. These arrangements ensure that additional temporary beds are brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities for singles and couples, who need them during periods of cold weather.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will continue to monitor the evolving weather situation.
Weather Outlook for Coming Days
Headline: Cold weather with wintry spells at times and frosty nights. Orange warning for snow and ice on Saturday night and into Sunday.
Saturday night: Cold and frosty with rain spreading up from the southwest overnight. The rain will be heavy and is likely to bring some snowfall to parts of the midlands, west and north later in the night and on Sunday morning, with snow lying in places, exact locations are uncertain at this stage so keep in touch with the forecast.
Sunday: Cold on Sunday with rain in southern areas but falls of sleet and snow in the midlands and northern parts for a time, however clearing southwards with drier conditions spreading down from the north. Severe frost after dark with snow lying in places.
Monday: A very frosty start. A cold and mostly dry day with sunny spells, but scattered wintry showers also in western and northern coastal areas. Widespread frost early and late. Frosty on Monday night.
Tuesday: Latest indications suggest, after a mostly dry start Tuesday morning, a band of rain will move eastwards, bringing slightly less cold conditions for a time, clearing on Tuesday night with cold conditions for the following few days and wintry at times.