GARDAI have issued a major travel alert amid “especially dangerous road conditions” as temperatures plummet & heavy snow falls.
Status Orange snow warnings kicked in for several Munster counties and Galway from midnight, with several other Yellow level alerts also in place across the country.
Heavy snow has hit parts of the country as temperatures plummet[/caption]
Snow has already fallen in some parts of the country such as Mayo, and temperatures have dropped to a staggering -4C last night.
And An Garda Siochana have taken to X, formerly known as twitter to alert the public of dangerous road conditions due to the winter weather.
They said: “Temperatures are dipping now as we set into theMetEireann forecast orange weather warning.
“And the combination of rain, ice and snow makes for especially dangerous road conditions.”
Around 5cm of snow or more was predicted to fall in Galway, Cork, Waterford, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, during the -4C Baltic blast.
A 12-hour snow and rain orange warning kicked in for Cork and Waterford from midnight, while Galway, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, will be on orange alert for snow and ice for the same time period.
A status yellow low temperature ice warning is in place for the entire country until 12pm today.
The national forecaster warned of a treacherous start to the day this morning as frost, ice, lying snow and spot flooding bash the country.
Met Eireann said: “A very cold AND treacherous start, with lying snow across parts of the Midlands, West & Southwest frost & ice too with spot flooding across southern fringes
“Wintry outbreaks will clear southwards with sunshine & scattered wintry showers following highs of just 1 to 4C.”
Around 5cm of snow or more was predicted to fall in Galway, Cork, Waterford, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, during the -4C Baltic blast.
A 12-hour snow and rain orange warning kicked in for Cork and Waterford from midnight, while Galway, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, will be on orange alert for snow and ice for the same time period.
A status yellow low temperature ice warning is in place for the entire country until 12pm today.
To avoid dangerous road conditions, An Garda Siochana shared the following tips on social media:
- Use dipped headlights and fog lights
- Manoeuvre and brake gently
- Slow down
Traffic chaos ensued this morning – with gardai in Mayo having warned of hazardous road conditions – particularly between Westport and Castlebar on the N5.
TRAFFIC CHAOS
RTE have reported a number of road traffic incidents on the M6 motorway – with a one-car crash near Junction 14 between Loughrea and Athenry.
As well as another crash between the Ballinasloe exit on the motorway, which is causing delays around the Conamara area.
A truck jackknifed at the N59 between Moycullan and Oughterard and local diversions are in place.
A number of minor collisions have also been reported in Galway city.
A single vehicle collision has also been reported between J5 Cratloe and J4 Cratloemoyle in Co Clare.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland warned: “Some delays to your journey may occur.
“When approaching the collision location, drive with caution, reduce your speed and please obey instructions form emergency services.”
Around 20mm of rain battered Co Cork since midnight, with some reports of sleet around Mallow causing rain pools on roads.
It is reported some schools have opened late or closed for the day as a safety precaution today and there are travel disruptions on Bus Eireann routes due to the weather.
