Five weather warnings issued as snow falls across the country

The snow that has affected most of the country is due to be accompanied by an Atlantic storm on Wednesday, bringing gusts of up to 130km/h.

Met Éireann has five weather warnings in place; two status orange and three status yellow.

The wind warning comes after a day of snowfall, with some areas to seeing up to 8cm.

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A van drives past The North Pole pub as snow falls near the village of Carndonagh, Co Donegal. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters

Met Éireann said wintry showers will continue tonight, but will be more scattered in the east. Temperatures are expected to drop to between -2 and 2 degrees Celcius, with ice developing overnight.

Met Éireann meteorologist Joan Blackburn said the western half of the country is the worst hit by the snow.

"From west Cork, right around to Donegal including counties Limerick, Kerry, Mayo, Galway and Leitrim. [Snow] is still falling and showers and can be expected to fall pretty frequently until tonight."

On Wednesday, a storm system from the Atlantic will bring with it wet and windy conditions.

“With the storm we will see the snow showers turn from sleet to rain with storm force winds in the western and northern areas. After that we will be back to cold conditions with normal wintry showers,” she said.

The wind warnings are in place for Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and are accompanied by a heavy rain warning for the west coast on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Clare County Council has issued a statement about the coming storm and high winds, saying “while the entire county will be affected, the most extreme impacts are likely to be along the coastline.

“The advice is not to venture out or to drive on exposed roads while these conditions prevail.”

AA Roadwatch has reported deep snow on the N15 Donegal to Sligo road, especially around the Barnesmore Gap.

There is also a covering of snow around the Ring of Kerry, especially in the Kilorglin and Glenbeigh areas. Poor conditions are reported on the N22 Killarney/ Cork Rd due to snow.

Roscommon is also seeing heavy snowfalls, especially on the Boyle and Castlerea roads.

The AA has also advised motorists to take care due to black ice on the Ballyshannon to Belleek road in Donegal and also on the Ballina road out of Sligo town.

Extreme caution has also been advised when driving in the Dunleer area in Co Louth.

There is black ice on the N2 Ashbourne/Ardee Rd, while the road is impassable after the Ardee/Dunleer Rd turn off for 12 km. AA advise avoiding the area completely.

Local gardaí have reported that roads are “treacherous” around Navan, Co Meath. The Achonry Rd towards Tobercurry in Co Sligo is reported as impassable due to ice and snow, as is the A6 Derry/Antrim Road at Glenshane Pass in Co Derry.

The ESB has reported that lightning across the country is responsible for power shortages, with outages reported in Castlebar, Co Mayo and in Bandon and Ballydehob in Co Cork.

Age Action Ireland has encouraged neighbours and friends of the elderly to give a helping hand to older people during the snowfall and bad weather.

“We are urging older people not to venture out in slippery and dangerous conditions. But if they are to take this advice, they may need help from neighbours to get supplies,” said spokesman Eammon Timmins.

He also encouraged people to ensure their homes were adequately heated to prevent any cold related illness. “The cold can kill...the temperature in your home is crucial”.

Age Action’s advice is to the elderly in this weather is to dress in several warm layers as opposed to one thick layer, to remain active, eat well and stay in contact with friends and family.