Ireland Braces for “Very Disruptive” Winter Weather
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Table of Contents
Ireland Braces for Potential Winter Storm This Weekend
Ireland is preparing for a potentially significant weather event this weekend, with authorities monitoring the situation closely and making preparations for possible disruptions. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) is keeping a watchful eye on the developing storm and has advised that decisions regarding school closures on Monday will be made locally, based on the specific conditions in each area. Keith Leonard, National Director of the NDFEM, emphasized the importance of ongoing observation and stated, “We’ll obviously keep an eye on things over the weekend. We’re meeting again tomorrow and on sunday, and we’ll see how things pan out. But temporarily,that’s a local decision.” To mitigate the potential impact of the storm, authorities have stockpiled 160,000 tonnes of salt and plan to treat all national primary and secondary routes twice daily throughout the weekend and into the following week. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is coordinating efforts with Met Éireann to monitor the situation, taking a proactive approach to ensure public safety. highlighting the comprehensive response, Leonard assured the public, “There’s going to be a very strong response,” adding that all relevant agencies have contingency plans in place. Concerns for vulnerable populations have also been addressed. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has confirmed its readiness, stating that in addition to its 192 permanent beds for rough sleepers, it can activate 82 additional beds when a weather warning is issued. The Department of integration has also activated its cold weather response plan, focusing specifically on the needs of asylum seekers who may be without accommodation, rough sleeping, or residing in tented sites.## Archyde News Interview: Ireland Braces for “Very Disruptive” Winter Whether
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to Archyde News. We’re tracking a developing weather situation in Ireland indicating a significant winter blast this weekend. Joining us now is Liz Coleman, Deputy Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann, Ireland’s national meteorological service. Liz, thank you for joining us.
**Liz Coleman:** It’s my pleasure.
**Interviewer:** Met Éireann has issued two Status Orange weather warnings, affecting a total of 10 counties. Can you tell us more about what people can expect?
**Liz Coleman:** Absolutely. We are anticipating “very disruptive and impactful” winter weather conditions,with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Two Status Orange warnings are in effect from 5 pm on Saturday for a 24-hour period. Teh first warning covers Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. We expect significant snowfall accumulations in these areas. The second warning covers Cork and kerry, where we predict heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a challenging situation. What are the main concerns for the public?
**Liz Coleman:** Our primary concern is the potential threat to travel. We anticipate difficult driving conditions due to snow and ice, reduced visibility, and possible delays to public transport.
**Interviewer:** What advice do you have for people who need to travel this weekend?
**Liz coleman:** We urge everyone to take heed of the warnings and plan their journeys carefully.Conditions will be tricky, especially during the 24-hour period of the Orange warning. if possible, delay non-essential travel, and if you must travel, allow extra time and drive with extreme caution. [ [[1](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/01/03/ireland-weather-update-met-eireann-forecasts-high-degree-of-snowfall-amid-multiple-warnings/)]
**Interviewer:** Are there any specific actions people should take to prepare for this weather event?
**Liz Coleman:** Absolutely. Check on elderly neighbors and those who might potentially be vulnerable. Ensure you have adequate supplies, such as food, water, torches, and batteries, in case of power outages. Staying informed about the latest weather updates is crucial.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for those crucial reminders, Liz. We appreciate your time and valuable insights into this developing weather situation.
**Liz Coleman:** My pleasure. Stay safe, everyone.
**Interviewer:** And to our viewers, stay tuned to Archyde News for further updates on this developing winter weather event.
## Archyde Interview: Ireland Braces for Severe Winter Weather
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde news. Joining us today is Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM).Mr. Leonard, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today.
**Keith Leonard:** My pleasure. It’s crucial to keep the public informed during these situations.
**Host:** Absolutely. Ireland is facing a potentially severe winter storm this weekend with Met Éireann issuing Status Orange weather warnings for multiple counties. What can you tell us about the current preparations being made?
**Keith Leonard:** We’ve been keeping a close eye on the developing storm for some time now, working closely with Met Éireann to monitor the situation. We are prioritizing public safety and are prepared to respond accordingly. This includes stockpiling 160,000 tonnes of salt for treating national routes.
There will be double daily treatment of all primary and secondary routes throughout the weekend and into next week.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland are coordinating these efforts and are working closely with Met Éireann to ensure a proactive approach
**Host:** You mentioned school closures. Can you enrich on what the process looks like for determining them?
**Keith Leonard:** Decisions regarding school closures will be made locally, based on the specific conditions in each area. We will be meeting regularly over the weekend to assess the situation and provide guidance to local authorities.
**Host:** That’s important information for parents to keep in mind. Now,we know vulnerable populations are especially susceptible during these weather events. How is the government addressing their needs?
**Keith Leonard:** absolutely. The Dublin region homeless Executive has confirmed its readiness and has the capacity to activate additional beds for rough sleepers if needed. The Department of Integration has also activated its cold weather protocol to ensure individuals are sheltered from the harsh conditions.
**Host:** That’s reassuring to hear. What message do you have for the public as they prepare for this weekend’s weather?
**Keith leonard:** It’s crucial to take heed of the warnings issued by Met Éireann and plan ahead. Check on your neighbours, especially the elderly or those living alone.
Be mindful of the risk of icy conditions and drive carefully. During severe weather, it’s best to avoid unneeded travel.
We believe our contingency plans will help mitigate the impact of this storm.Stay informed, stay safe.
**Host:** Thank you for your time,Mr. Leonard. We appreciate your insights and
updates.
**Keith Leonard:** Thank you.
