James Cox
Updated 2.20pm
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for the whole country.
The status yellow warning comes into force at 3am on Thursday morning and will last until 11pm on Thursday night.
Rain, sleet and snow will spread northwards across the country later on Wednesday night and during Thursday accompanied by strengthening easterly winds.
Met Éireann has warned of significant accumulations of snow in Leinster along with counties Cavan and Monaghan.
Status Yellow – Snow-Ice warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan
Possible Impacts:
● Hazardous driving conditions
● Travel disruption
● Poor VisibilityValid: 23:00 Thursday 09/03/2023 to 07:00 Friday 10/03/2023⤵️https://t.co/l8JdKfwZt9 pic.twitter.com/OhRDaXJhLw
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) March 8, 2023
Accumulations of snow are expected in many areas along with icy conditions. The national forecaster warned the weather will bring hazardous driving conditions, travel disruption and poor visibility.
A status yellow low temperature warning will be in place from 9pm on Thursday night to 10am on Friday morning.
Meteorologist Gerry Murphy told RTÉ News at One that temperatures on Tuesday night dropped to -8.5 degrees Celsius in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, the lowest temperature recorded there since 2010.
Some parts of the country will experience “substantial snowfall” tomorrow morning, he warned.
Mr Murphy said it was “difficult to pin down the exact places” where snowfall will be heavier.
“Some areas will get enough snow to cause substantial disruptions.”
In the UK dozens of flights have been disrupted in the south of England amid following the coldest night of the year on Tuesday.
The Met Office has said temperatures at Kinbrace in the Highlands dropped to this year’s low of minus 15.4C overnight.
At least 27 flights due to depart from the Bristol Airport on Wednesday morning have been affected by snow, while several arrivals have been diverted to Birmingham.
A spokesperson for the airport said “additional staff are on site to assist with the adverse weather response” and passengers have been advised to check with their airline prior to arriving at the airport.
The airport reopened at 10.45am but said there is “ongoing flight disruption”.
Gatwick Airport said some passengers experienced “minor delays” on Wednesday morning but “the airport is open and flights are operating”. – Additional reporting: PA
