Arctic conditions cause chaos as Ireland braces for Storm Bert
Met Éireann says ‘strong likelihood’ of Status Orange wind warnings in some counties due to Storm Bert
Snow and ice left parts of Ireland resembling a winter wonderland as the Arctic conditions forced some schools to close, left commuters facing travel misery and thousands of homes without power.
Temperatures plunged close to minus 5C as snowfalls reached up to 20cm in some parts of Munster and Connacht - amid warnings that Storm Bert will now strike Ireland on Friday evening bringing heavy rainfall and powerful winds gusting up to 110kph.
Met Éireann warned that Ireland will just be recovering from the Arctic-snap when the second Atlantic storm of the season will arrive, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and the potential to bring down trees and cause further disruption to power supplies.
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Storm Bert - named by Met Éireann - will strengthen as it approaches the UK with the prospect of winds proving even more damaging over northern England and Scotland.
A Status Yellow wind and rain warning was issued by Met Éireann in advance of Storm Bert's arrival amid fears of localised flooding, fallen trees and travel disruption.
The alert will remain in place from 10pm on Friday until 12 noon on Saturday as motorists will face three days of travel warnings.
Met Éireann meteorologist Andrew Doran-Sherlock said there is a “strong likelihood” of Status Orange wind warnings in western and northwestern counties.
He said Storm Bert will bring “milder but very wet and windy conditions for the weekend”.
"Heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday will likely lead to localised flooding in urban areas and some river catchments particularly in the west and southwest, as this rain is falling on already saturated and waterlogged ground,” he said.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and will upgrade/issue warnings as Met Éireann’s high resolution model (which provides information two-days ahead) is analysed.
“The impacts from Storm Bert will commence later on Friday and will continue through the weekend and potentially through early next week as well.”
Met Éireann advised the public to stay away from coastal areas, ensure your mobile is phone is fully charged, keep local emergency numbers in your phone and don’t try to walk, cycle or drive through flooded areas as the depth of the water can be deceiving
“As little as 150mm of fast-flowing water can knock you off your feet and 300mm of fast-flowing water can move most cars off the road," the national forecaster said.
"Keep a small amount of food, medical and water supplies in case it’s dangerous to step out of the home.”
Status Orange snow and ice alerts for six counties were lifted on Thursday afternoon - but Met Éireann's Síobhan Ryan warned that snow, ice and Siberian temperatures can again be expected until Friday.
A Status Yellow low temperature warning for the entire country has been extended until 12 noon on Friday.
"The wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow will continue to impact the south and west of Ireland," she said.
"Icy patches will linger in sheltered parts and there will be a few isolated snow flurries. It will be a bitterly cold night on Thursday with further outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow.
"Friday will be mostly dry, icy and frosty to start out. Temperatures will step up but it will still be quite cold. It will all change for the weekend as we move into a spell of wetter, windy and possibly stormy, impactful weather.
"Friday night will be very wet and windy with heavy rain from the south west and will be accompanied by very strong and gusting south easterly winds."
The worst of the Arctic spell hit parts of Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo - while areas of Donegal resembled the North Pole with snow-covered fields and forests.
Deer in snow in the Wicklow Mountains. Photo: Damien Eagers
Gardaí admitted they were flooded with reports of ice-related collisions and roads left impassable by the snow during the Thursday morning commute.
Such was the sheer weight of the snowfalls in parts of Mayo and Galway that trees were brought down, damaging power lines and leaving thousands of people without power.
ESB repair crews began work immediately and it was hoped all households would have power supplies restored by Thursday evening.
Councils in Munster and Connacht had to deploy snow ploughs given that snow falls amounted to more than 20cm in areas.
Cork Co Council convened its severe weather assessment team given the scale of snow and ice across the county.
"The worst affected areas include Newmarket, Rockchapel, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Macroom, Millstreet and Coachford," a spokesperson said.
Council crews carried out pre-emptive gritting overnight and have been repeating salting and gritting since early this morning.
Gritting operations will continue into Friday.
Snow ploughs have also been deployed where required and crews are progressing road treatment on a priority basis.
Motorists are again being urged to drive with extreme care even on roads that have been gritted.
"Hazardous driving conditions may persist throughout the day. If a journey must be undertaken, please slow down, allow extra time and be aware of other road users, especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists,” a spokesperson from the RSA said.
In Connacht, roads in parts of Galway and Mayo were left impassable by snow falls and ice with routes around Connemara the worst impacted.
A number of weather-related collisions were reported including an articulated lorry which jack-knifed outside Oughterard which forced a temporary road closure.
A number of collisions were reported in Cork, especially on higher ground outside Cork city, west Cork and in north Cork near the Galtee Mountains.
In Kerry, the N69 road had to be closed because of the conditions with diversions being put in place.
In Limerick, road conditions were described as treacherous around Newcastlewest, Abbeyfeale, Adare and Patrickswell.
Roads approaching Cork Airport were described as "challenging" though, despite heavy snowfalls around the Kinsale Road, flight operations were not impacted.
Public transport operations were also hit by the Arctic conditions in some areas.
A number of Bus Éireann services in Mayo had to be cancelled because of the conditions while other services in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Galway suffered delays as a result of road closures and diversions.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and gardaí appealed to motorists to drive with extreme care given the treacherous conditions.
Gardaí urged motorists to slow down, allow a safe braking distance to vehicles in front and to travel with a fully charged mobile phone for safety.
Drivers were also urged to check that their vehicles were winter ready with proper tyre depths, good windscreen wipers and fully functioning lights.
Elderly support groups have urged people to check on any vulnerable neighbours during the current cold snap to ensure they have adequate access to food, drinks and fuel.
Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway have moved to ensure extra bed capacity is available in emergency shelters for rough sleepers as volunteers worked to get the vulnerable off the streets during the Arctic snap.
