Met Eireann has updated its warnings in relation to the current weather event.
Met Éireann National Weather Warnings
STATUS ORANGESnow-ice Warning for Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Waterford
Occasional heavy snow showers will continue and will lead to further accumulations and some drifting.
Issued:
Sunday 18 March 2018 10:02
Valid:
Sunday 18 March 2018 10:00 to Sunday 18 March 2018 18:00
The Department was informed of the likely change in Met Eireann’s warnings for the weekend’s weather event on Friday and contacted the relevant Local Authorities and other agencies such as transport providers and An Garda Siochana to advise them. All relevant agencies have severe weather emergency plans in place and gritting/salting and other measures as required have and continue to take place as appropriate.
Cold weather initiatives for rough sleepers are in place and additional capacity has been put in place to ensure that there are additional bed spaces available for rough sleepers that would not normally avail of homeless services.
Snow has been falling as forecasted and will continue in places for the rest of today. While local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland are working at ploughing and salting the primary routes, driving on secondary roads in affected areas will be very difficult. The key message is, as always, to avoid unnecessary travel over the weekend.
Many sporting and civic events have been cancelled and people should check with public transport carriers and airports about their services and before beginning any necessary journeys.
Tonight will be cold and pedestrians should be careful as footpaths and roads may be dangerous in affected areas.
The forecast indicates that snowfall will cease this evening and temperatures will rise to 5 to 7 degrees tomorrow.
Nonetheless, people are advised to take account of the conditions in their locality before undertaking any activities.
The National Directorate for Fire and Management in the Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities and Transport providers in the affected areas and to monitor the situation closely.