Snow blankets parts of Ireland as Met Éireann issues nationwide ice warning

A nationwide status yellow ice warning has been issued by Met Éireann with sub-zero temperatures expected on Friday night.

The warning will come into effect at 9pm on Friday with Met Éireann saying it will be “cold tonight with ice on untreated surfaces leading to hazardous travelling conditions”. The warning will be lifted at 9am on Saturday.

The forecaster has also issued snow and ice warnings for much of the country.

A status yellow warning for Munster, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford and Wicklow will be in place from 12pm on Friday until 6pm.

Snow in Westmeath on Friday, March 1

Snow in Westmeath on Friday, March 1

Met Éíreann has warned that a “band of rain will continue to move southwards, turning to sleet and snow in places”.

A status yellow snow and ice warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Westmeath, Wicklow, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo will be lifted at midday.

Met Éireann has warned that potential impacts of the snow and ice include icy stretches on untreated surfaces, poor visibility and hazardous travelling conditions

Temperatures on Friday night will fall to lows of -1C to 3C.

Falling sleet and snow in parts of Ireland early on Friday led to some travel disruption.

Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather advised those living in the affected counties, to refrain from travel unless absolutely essential.

“If you don’t need to travel with heavy snow on the ground, then its best to stay home,” he said.

Iarnrod Eireann said some DART services for commuters around Dublin had been delayed by 20 minutes as the weather conditions impacted signalling.

Some Bus Eireann Services to and from Dublin and Donegal and Cavan were also cancelled because of bad weather, as well as services between Cavan and Dundalk.

Dublin Bus said its 44B route from Glencullen was curtailed due to the weather.

Elsewhere, a status yellow rain warning has been issued for Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. The warning has been in effect since 3am on Friday and will remain in place until 3am on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saturday will see a mix “of sunny spells and showers, some heavy with a chance of hail” with Saturday night seeing temperatures fall to lows of -2C.

Margot the cavapoo enjoys her morning walk in the Blessington Basin, in Dublin this morning as heavy snow falls. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Margot the cavapoo enjoys her morning walk in the Blessington Basin, in Dublin this morning as heavy snow falls. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Sunday will be a “bright day” with sunny spells and scattered showers, becoming isolated towards evening. Met Éireann has said temperatures “will fall quickly after dark on Sunday night under clear skies with frost and icy patches developing, and lows of -2C to 2C”.

“Cloud will thicken from the southwest overnight and temperatures will rise as winds back southeast.”

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