Ireland is in the grip of a severe cold snap, wiht temperatures plummeting to dangerously low levels. A status-orange low-temperature and ice weather warning is in effect from 8pm until 10am on Wednesday, as night-time temperatures are expected to plunge to -10 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Widespread Disruptions
The extreme weather has caused widespread disruptions across the country. Over 10,000 homes and businesses are without electricity, with counties Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary experiencing the worst outages. Additionally, approximately 17,000 premises are awaiting the restoration of their water supply.
Many schools and childcare facilities, particularly in counties Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary, and Wicklow, remain closed due to the hazardous conditions.
Taoiseach Warns of ”Dangerous to Life” Temperatures
Taoiseach Simon Harris has issued a stark warning, emphasizing that the upcoming temperatures are “not normal winter temperatures” and pose a serious risk to public health. He urged citizens to prepare for an “extraordinary” period of extreme cold, unlike anything experienced regularly in Ireland.
“We’re not talking about seeing normal winter temperatures tonight or tommorow, we’re talking about seeing extremely low temperatures that are dangerous and that are dangerous to life,” Harris stressed.He encouraged people to “take precautions” and not hesitate to use heating,assuring that supplementary welfare payments are available to those in need.
Road Safety Concerns
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has issued an urgent warning about the danger of black ice, emphasizing that even treated surfaces can be treacherous. “Road users are asked to treat every road as treacherous in the context of widespread black ice, make only essential journeys, take it slowly and allow extra time for travel to reduce risks for all and to relieve the pressure on the emergency services,” the RSA stated.
As the cold snap continues, authorities are urging vigilance and urging the public to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions.
Ireland Braces for Impact as severe Weather Warnings Issued
Ireland is facing a wave of extreme cold weather, prompting multiple warnings and service disruptions across the country. Met Éireann,the national meteorological service,has issued a Status Orange weather warning for low temperatures and ice,in effect from Tuesday,January 7th at 8 PM until Wednesday,January 8th at 10 AM and again from Wednesday at 6 PM to Thursday,January 9th at 11 AM.
dangerous Conditions Forecast
The warning highlights the potential for “extremely cold conditions with widespread severe frost, ice, and lying snow.” The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged all road users in affected areas to exercise extreme caution and check local traffic and weather updates before beginning any journey.
🔸Orange Weather Warning – Low temperature/ice 🔸 📍Ireland 📅Tues 7, 8pm – Wed 8, 10am 📅Wed 8, 6pm – Thur 9, 11am Extremely cold with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow. Impacts: •Dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot •Travel disruption and delays pic.twitter.com/6ipamj1Qui
An Post, ireland’s postal service, has announced disruptions to its services due to the severe weather. While some deliveries have been attempted, some areas remain inaccessible due to hazardous road conditions.
“while road, pavement and weather conditions continue to impact letter, parcel and post office services, an Post staff have been able to safely attempt deliveries on at least part of more affected routes this morning,” said An Post in a statement.“Any affected postal services will resume as quickly as possible once conditions are safe.”
Six post offices remain closed on Tuesday, January 7th, including locations in Brosna and Castlegregory in County Kerry, and Kilmallock, templeglantine, ballylanders, and Anglesborough in County Limerick.
healthcare Appointments Cancelled
The HSE (Health Service Executive) has also reported cancellations of outpatient appointments at St luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
“Due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions,outpatient appointments at St Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny remain cancelled today Tuesday January 7th,” the HSE Dublin and South East tweeted.
Due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions, outpatient appointments at St Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny remain cancelled today tuesday january 7th.
— HSE Dublin and South East (@HSEDubSouthEast) January 7, 2025
The HSE advises the public to consult their website for the latest updates on service disruptions.
Munster Farmers Face ‘Serious Impact’ from Severe Weather
Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Munster regional chair Conor O’Leary described the ongoing severe weather conditions as having a “serious impact” on farmers across Munster. With further status-orange weather warnings announced, O’Leary expressed “real concern” about the situation.
Water Supply Issues Pose Biggest Challenge
With temperatures predicted to remain frigid until the weekend, maintaining water supplies for livestock due to frozen pipes has become the most pressing issue for Munster farmers.
“The main concern for farmers at times like this is to look after their animals. This can be very challenging without electricity or water, or with difficulties in transporting supplies to the farm,”
– Conor O’Leary, IFA Munster regional chair
Despite the efforts of ESB crews and local authorities to restore services, O’Leary emphasized the “vital” need for full resources to be allocated to clearing roads and restoring essential services for farmers.
Widespread Disruption Across Munster and Leinster
O’Leary highlighted that farmers in Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, parts of Kerry, and even areas of south Leinster are facing the brunt of the extreme cold. He expressed concern that the latest weather alerts would exacerbate the existing difficulties. He also commended farmers for supporting each othre by obtaining and delivering essential supplies.
“Farmers are happy to do this, but the pressure is mounting on farmers themselves as the cold spell continues.While it is indeed understandable that the main roads are a priority, clearing local roads also needs to be a priority,” O’Leary added.
Water Shortages Impact 17,000 People
Uisce Éireann reported that approximately 17,000 people are currently without water, primarily in Tipperary, limerick, and Kerry. While around 13,000 customers have had their water restored since the previous night, the utility company anticipates further disruptions to water supplies in the coming days due to plummeting temperatures, expected to reach as low as -10 degrees Celsius in some regions.
Margaret Attridge, head of water operations at Uisce Éireann, urged the public to conserve water and promptly report any leaks in the public network.
“As some counties face Arctic conditions, which can impact on our pipe infrastructure, letting us know of breaks on the public network allows us to dispatch our expert crews as early as possible, therefore protecting the levels of water in our reservoirs for the whole country,”
- Margaret Attridge, head of water operations, Uisce Éireann
Delivery Disruptions Expected across Ireland
An Post issued a statement indicating that deliveries will be affected across parts of the country during status-orange weather warnings.
“We will resume all affected deliveries as soon as it is safe to do so,” the postal service stated.
Ireland Braces for Subzero Temperatures and Travel Disruption
Ireland is bracing for a period of extremely cold weather, with Met Éireann issuing a Status Orange warning as temperatures are set to plummet to -10 degrees Celsius in some areas. The national forecaster warns of treacherous conditions on roads and paths, urging caution especially on walkways.
Widespread Frost and Scattered Snow Expected
Liz Coleman, Deputy Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann, stated that the coldest temperatures will be experienced in the midlands and areas where snow is already lying. “You’ll see temperatures maybe dropping down to -10 in some areas but generally across the country, it will be -5 for the next few nights,” she told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne.
while scattered snow and sleet showers are expected on Tuesday, accumulations are not anticipated to be meaningful. The coming days will see predominantly cold, clear air with hard frosts at night.
Ms.Coleman added that rain expected on Thursday night will likely transition to sleet and snow as it encounters the cold air mass, though milder air will follow.
Lingering Snow and Travel Impacts
Lying snow is unlikely to melt until the weekend when daytime temperatures are forecast to rise above 5 degrees Celsius. Until then,hazardous travel conditions are expected to persist.
⚠️Status Orange⚠️
A status orange warning has been issued by @MetEireann
Take care on roads but be extra careful on paths too. our ambulances often see an increase in fractures & falls after snowfall pic.twitter.com/tLA8tCH9lX
While Dublin Airport remains fully operational, passengers are advised to anticipate potential delays due to weather-related disruptions at UK airports. Cork Airport is encouraging travelers to allow ample time for their journey, while Shannon Airport has reported delays to flights arriving from the UK.
Snow and ice teams are actively clearing runways at Ireland West Airport in preparation for the arrival of its initial wave of flights.
Dublin Airport is fully operational this morning.
Some UK airports are dealing with snow & weather issues, which may impact on airline schedules & result in delays over the course of the day.
As always, passengers flying today should contact their airline directly for the… pic.twitter.com/AN4YU52Spp
Ireland Braces for Extreme Cold and Disruptive Weather
Status orange Alerts Issued Across 22 Counties
ireland is bracing for a period of extremely cold weather as Met Éireann, the national meteorological service, issued two status orange low temperature and ice warnings.
The first warning, in effect from 8 pm Tuesday, January 7th to 10 am Wednesday, January 8th, covers 22 counties, including Munster and Connacht as well as Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, longford, Meath, Offaly, westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, and Monaghan. Residents in these areas are warned to expect “extremely cold conditions with widespread severe frost, ice, and lying snow.”
Status Orange – Low Temperature/Ice warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster, connacht
Extremely cold with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow.
A second warning is in place for Leinster, Munster, connacht, Cavan, and Monaghan from 6 pm Wednesday, January 8th until 11 am Thursday, January 9th.
Met Éireann warns that these conditions will bring dangerous traveling conditions due to ice and snow on roads, potential travel disruptions and delays, and animal welfare concerns.
ESB Networks Battling Power Outages
The severe weather is also causing significant power outages across the country. ESB Networks, the electricity provider, is working to restore power to the 10,000 customers still without electricity.
Brian Tapley, regional manager for ESB Networks, described the situation as “challenging” and highlighted the difficulties faced by repair crews in locating and fixing faults. Helicopters are being used to transport crews to some remote areas where access is arduous.
The worst-affected areas are Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary. Tapley cited Newcastlewest in Co Limerick as an example, where the line feeding the village has been damaged in multiple locations, requiring daily helicopter access for repairs.
Tapley explained that snow and ice storms present unique challenges, including roof collapses under heavy snow loads and frozen transformer controls leading to short circuits. ESB Networks is collaborating with the Department of Defence, local authorities, and agricultural contractors to assess the situation and carry out repairs.
Road Conditions Deteriorate Rapidly
Cork County Council warned of “very challenging” road conditions across the county, urging caution even on recently treated routes. An articulated truck became stuck on the R585 at Cousane, forcing the road’s closure.
In Limerick, the city and county council joined other local authorities in issuing warnings about hazardous road conditions.
“Our salters and ploughs were out throughout the night. However, there are reports of dangerous conditions right across the county,” Limerick City and County Council posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Ireland Braces for Bitterly Cold Spell with Travel Disruptions Expected
Ireland is facing a prolonged period of freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions, prompting warnings from authorities and emergency response organizations. The combination of snow, ice, and freezing fog has created treacherous driving conditions, leading to calls for caution and urging people to avoid unnecessary travel.
Kerry County Council is urging motorists to exercise “extreme caution” and travel “only where absolutely necessary” due to the presence of snow and ice on roads.Similar warnings have been issued by Cork County Council, which highlighted “treacherous conditions” and widespread black ice, even on treated routes.
“Motorists are strongly advised to stick to treated roads whenever possible, but even on these routes, great care is essential,” a statement from the council read. “Travel only if absolutely necessary”.
Irish Rail has also warned of potential delays and disruptions to its services.
⚠️ There’s reports of treacherous conditions across the county this morning with widespread black ice,even on treated routes.
🚗 Motorists should avoid any unnecessary journeys and continue to exercise extreme caution if they must travel. pic.twitter.com/Vg323azFBU
Jason Fleming, chairman of the Kerry Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), has called for a “plan B” from the government to support remote areas during extreme weather events. He noted that IFA members are utilizing farm vehicles capable of navigating icy roads to deliver supplies to people stranded in remote areas without power. The IFA is also assisting the HSE in transporting medical personnel and supplies to these communities.
“They are helping to ‘pull cars from ditches’ and to remove trees and debris from the roads,” said vivienne Clarke, reporting on Fleming’s comments.
Freezing Fog Adds to the Danger
Met Éireann, Ireland’s meteorological service, has issued a status-yellow weather warning and anticipates upgrading it to status-orange in some areas. Forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock warned of “severe frosts and icy stretches,” with temperatures not expected to rise above freezing during the day and dropping to -8 degrees Celsius at night.
“There’s going to be severe frosts and icy stretches,” he said. “Then tomorrow it’s going to be a bitterly cold day with highest temperatures not even getting above freezing in some areas. It will be followed by another extremely cold night on Wednesday night with another very cold day on Thursday.
“So really, anywhere that’s got frost and ice, there’s a good chance that it won’t shift through the days,” he adds. “And we’ve got the other complication: that there’s going to be freezing fog developing during the night. And again, that’s really not going to shift in places through the day and that’s going to make for very hazardous travel conditions.”
With freezing fog expected to develop during the night and persist throughout the day, the coming days are likely to pose significant challenges for commuters and travelers across Ireland.
Ireland Braces for Continued Cold Snap as Temperatures Plummet
A widespread yellow weather warning remains in effect across Ireland as icy conditions persist. Met Éireann has warned that these warnings could be escalated further, with the potential for a status orange alert as the cold snap shows no signs of relenting.
Hazardous Travel Conditions Expected
Commuters are urged to exercise extreme caution as treacherous road conditions continue, with frost and ice posing a significant hazard. Patches of snow are also expected to linger throughout the day, particularly inland.
While western and northern areas are experiencing rain showers, these are falling as snow further inland. Despite the biting winds, the day will remain largely dry, with temperatures hovering between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius. However, a truly frigid night awaits, with temperatures expected to plunge as low as -8 degrees Celsius.
A Glimpse of Warmer Days Ahead
The good news is that relief from the arctic blast appears to be on the horizon. According to Met Éireann meteorologist Mr. Doran-Sherlock, “It is anticipated, from the current models, that the temperatures would turn warmer by the weekend with likely highs of six to 10 degrees, ’which is a significant rise on what we’re getting at the moment. And the nights will be a little bit chilly, but nothing like what we’re expecting at the moment. So by the weekend it will be a lot less cold.'”
What are the specific challenges faced by ESB Networks in restoring power during this severe weather event?
It appears that the text you provided is a detailed report about severe weather conditions in Ireland, including flight delays, airport precautions, and the impact on roads, power outages, and rural communities. Here is a summary of the key points:
Flight Delays and Airport Precautions
Dublin airport: Fully operational,but passengers are advised to anticipate potential delays due to weather-related disruptions at UK airports.
Cork Airport: Encouraging travelers to allow ample time for their journey.
Shannon Airport: Reporting delays to flights arriving from the UK.
Ireland West Airport: Snow and ice teams are actively clearing runways in preparation for incoming flights.
Extreme Cold and Weather Alerts
Status Orange Alerts: Issued for 22 counties, warning of extremely cold conditions with severe frost, ice, and lying snow.
– First Warning: Effective from 8 pm Tuesday, January 7th, to 10 am Wednesday, January 8th.
– second Warning: effective from 6 pm Wednesday, January 8th, to 11 am Thursday, January 9th, covering Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Cavan, and Monaghan.
Dangers: Dangerous traveling conditions due to ice and snow, potential travel disruptions, and concerns for animal welfare.
Power Outages
ESB Networks: Battling significant power outages, with 10,000 customers still without electricity.
– Challenges: Snow and ice causing roof collapses, frozen transformer controls, and difficulties accessing remote areas. Helicopters are being used to transport repair crews.
– Worst-Affected Areas: kerry, Limerick, and tipperary.
Road Conditions
Cork County Council: Warning of very challenging road conditions, even on treated routes. An articulated truck got stuck on the R585 at Cousane, forcing road closure.
Limerick City and County Council: Salters and ploughs where out overnight, but dangerous conditions persist across the county.
Kerry County Council: Urging motorists to exercise extreme caution and travel only when necessary due to snow and ice on roads.
Irish Rail: Warning of potential delays and disruptions to services.
Rural Communities
Jason Fleming, Kerry IFA Chairman: Calling for a “Plan B” from the government to support remote areas during extreme weather. IFA members are using farm vehicles to deliver supplies to stranded individuals in remote areas without power.
Summary
Ireland is experiencing a prolonged period of freezing temperatures,snow,and ice,leading to hazardous road conditions,travel disruptions,and significant power outages. Authorities and emergency response organizations are urging caution and advising against needless travel while working to restore services and support affected communities.
