Deirdre O Meara The alerts come as the region shivers through a very cold snap that has left many parts of Cork blanketed in snow.
The first warning is for Snow and Ice, which will come into effect in the early hours of tomorrow morning and will last until 11 pm. The forecaster has warned of poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions as “snow is expected in many areas along with icy conditions.”
According to Met Eireann, “rain, sleet and snow will spread northwards across the country later tonight (Wednesday night) and during Thursday accompanied by strengthening easterly winds. Accumulations of snow are expected in many areas along with icy conditions. Sleet and snow will likely transition to rain in southern areas for a time.”
The second warning is for Low Temperatures and Ice, which will come into place at 9 pm tomorrow and will last until 10 am Friday morning. Met Eireann is warning of possible travel disruption and hazardous driving conditions as “widespread icy stretches” are expected on Thursday night and Friday morning.
Many parts of Cork saw snow overnight, with North Cork experiencing significant falls that remained on the high ground earlier this morning. There is more snow on the way today, with Cork City expected to see wintry showers later on.
The latest forecast for Cork is for continued low temperatures, with a high of just 4 degrees. We will continue to see more wintry rain, sleet, and snow, and temperatures are not expected to start climbing out of the deep freeze until Sunday when we should see milder conditions begin to spread in from the South West.
The yellow warnings are a cause for concern for people living in the affected areas. Those planning to travel over the next few days should take extra care when driving, and anyone living in areas prone to flooding should prepare accordingly.
The cold snap has been caused by a high-pressure system over Scandinavia, which has pushed cold air across the UK and Ireland. The system has brought the coldest weather of the winter so far, and while it is expected to ease over the coming days, temperatures will remain below average for this time of year.
The Irish Government has issued advice to people on how to stay safe during the cold snap. They are urging people to wrap up warm, keep their homes heated to at least 18 degrees, and to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
The government has also advised people to take extra care when travelling on icy roads, and to drive slowly and smoothly, avoiding sudden movements or harsh braking. They have warned that black ice can be particularly dangerous, as it is difficult to see and can cause vehicles to skid out of control.
In response to the warnings, Cork City Council has activated its severe weather plan. The plan includes measures such as gritting roads and footpaths, and ensuring that emergency services are on standby.
The council has also advised people to check on vulnerable neighbours and to stay safe during the cold snap. They have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and to take extra care when driving on icy roads.
While the cold weather is expected to ease over the coming days, people living in affected areas should continue to take extra care and to prepare for possible disruptions. With snow, sleet, and low temperatures forecast for the region, it is important to stay safe and warm during this cold snap.
