More snow and ice hits as Met Éireann issues orange alert

Weather forecasts left the country braced for widespread snowfall overnight, much of it determined to stick around.

Whatever individual counties wake to this morning, Met Éireann yesterday upgraded its national status yellow weather warning for widespread wintry showers to orange, the second highest level that appears whenever a "significant" impact is anticipated.

That was likely to come in the shape of ice and snow hitting in particular Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath and Meath, with more than 3cm of snow expected in some parts.

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Met Éireann issued a yellow alert snow and ice warning on Sunday morning which will remain in place until Wednesday. Photograph: Niamh Towey

Knock, Co Mayo reported 5cm of snow yesterday, while Roscommon, Leitrim, Kerry and Limerick appeared to take the brunt of the fall overnight on Sunday.

“Looking at the snapshots, these areas were some of the worst affected and it will be more of the same tonight,” a Met Éireann forecaster said.

Conditions were “treacherous”, according to AA Roadwatch, with widespread poor driving conditions.

Knock airport, in the midst of some of the heaviest snowfall, was forced to close early yesterday to facilitate clearing snow from its runway.

About 500 passengers from Britain found themselves in Shannon instead with morning flights from London Stansted, Liverpool, East Midlands and Luton all diverted.

Those affected were bused from Shannon back to Knock. An airport spokesman said the snowfall had been exceptionally heavy and ploughs were on standby to deal with any further falls.

“There is plenty of snow around,” the Met Éireann forecaster said yesterday. “There are showers right across the country and they have reached the east as well.”

It is not just snow. Many of the downpours are bringing harsh patches of sleet and hailstones, while some parts of the country are advised to expect thunderstorms.

Conditions last night were expected to be slightly worse than on Sunday with temperatures likely to fall to minus 2 degrees.

As with the snowfall, the temperatures could prove unpredictable in terms of where they drop off the most, although the Wicklow mountains area was looking like being one of the coldest places in the country.

Met Éireann also maintained its status yellow warning for gale conditions with west and southwest winds gusting through the evening.

Today will continue to be cold but will also introduce a slight break and return to easier conditions. By next weekend, temperatures are due to climb.