Ireland school re-openings could be delayed as snow expected in 'multi-hazard weather event'
Met Éireann has warned temperatures will plummet this weekend with sleet and snow, along with icy conditions, expected - but this could linger into next week, meaning schools might remain closed
Forecasters have warned that a risk of sleet or snow throughout parts of the country over the weekend may lead to schools shutting for Monday.
Below freezing temperatures are expected over the next few days, with motorists being urged to take care on the roads as sub-zero weather sets in. Met Éireann have issued a Status Yellow Ice warning for all counties, except Fermanagh, over Friday, with more alerts expected.
Met Éireann forecaster Gerry Murphy explained that conditions had taken a cold and sharp turn, meaning people should anticipate a "multi-hazard weather event" over the weekend.
READ MORE: Ireland snow tracker live as Met Eireann weather warning comes into place and temperatures plummet
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"It will most likely fall as rain down the south coast but it must be said that the amounts of rain expected in the south and south-west are quite high, so it’s likely that we will see rainfall warnings, at least, in the south-west of the country," Mr Murphy told RTE’s Radio One.
"Then, as that rain pushes up through the afternoon/evening, it turns more to sleet, as you go in the hours of darkness then turning more to snow – currently, it looks like – predominantly over the southern half of the country.
"Then over much of the Midlands, the west, perhaps tomorrow night early on. Counties in the north-east mightn’t fare too badly because there is an easterly wind.
"It’s very difficult to pinpoint but really as we go through tomorrow night into Sunday all areas can expect sleet or snow at some stage."
The forecaster explained that it wouldn’t be clear until the weekend if schools would be open for Monday, when teachers and students return from the Christmas holidays, dependent on snow accumulations.
"There are likely to be accumulations of snow in places on Monday morning coupled with a very severe frost as well.
"So there is the possibility that schools may not open but that will become more apparent as we go through the weekend."
Schools in Ireland generally operate with a text messaging system to update any parents or guardians ahead of time on updates.
The Department of Planning confirmed that the decision to close a school during a weather event ultimately rests with the school's management, who will take into account guidance from response agencies.
A spokesperson for the Department of Defence Emergency and Planning said: "The decision to close a school or ELC rests with the setting’s management authority taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially An Garda Síochána.
"Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks and having consulted, as appropriate, with school transport operators."
Overall, Met Éireann warned it will remain cold this weekend with further falls of rain, sleet and snow, alongside icy conditions.
The national forecaster has also shared that it will become very cold as we move into next week with mostly dry conditions apart from wintry showers in the north and west.
Friday
Frost and fog will clear this morning to leave another cold day, but it'll be dry and sunny in many areas. In the west and north there'll be scattered showers, a few possibly turning wintry. Highest temperatures of 2C to 6C in light to moderate westerly or variable breezes.
Staying cold tonight and mainly dry with clear spells. There'll be a few well scattered showers near western and northern coasts, the odd wintry one. Lowest temperatures of -3C to 1C, locally colder where patches of fog and freezing fog develop. There'll also be widespread frost and some ice forming once again.
Saturday
The frost and fog will clear through the morning and it'll be dry for a time in many areas with some sunny spells, especially further north.
Rain will gradually spread from the southwest over the course of the day, becoming heavy at times, especially later and as it meets the cold air further inland, it'll turn to sleet and snow.
A cold day with highest temperatures of just 1C to 6C, with the higher temperatures along the south and southeast coasts, where the precipitation will fall mainly as rain. Winds will be mostly light easterly to begin, but will freshen through the day.
A wet and cold night Saturday night with widespread heavy falls of rain, sleet and snow. The precipitation will mainly fall as sleet and snow away from the south and southwest, with some accumulations expected. Lowest temperatures of -1C to 3C in moderate to fresh and gusty east to northeast winds, stronger in some coastal parts.
Sunday
Sunday will bring further falls of rain, sleet and some further snowfall accumulations for a time.
It'll gradually become drier from the west later in the day as the area of low pressure moves away eastwards. Feeling very cold with highest temperatures of 2C to 7C and with the added wind chill from fresh and gusty northerly winds.
Any remaining rain, sleet and snow will clear eastwards on Sunday night, with clear spells following. Scattered rain, hail, sleet and snow showers will follow too, mainly into the west. Very cold with some lying snow, widespread frost and ice. Lowest temperatures of -5C to 0C with the north to northwest winds easing.
Monday
Very cold with some bright or sunny spells and scattered showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow, these most frequent in the north and west. Highest temperatures ranging from freezing to 5C in light to moderate northwest winds, fresher in coastal parts of the north and west.
Monday night will be cold with some clear spells and further scattered wintry showers, these again mainly in the north and west.
Lowest temperatures of -4C to 2C with widespread frosty and icy conditions. Winds will be light to moderate northwesterly, fresher in coastal parts of the north and northwest.
Tuesday
Another very cold day on Tuesday with treacherous icy conditions and lying snow. Overall there'll be a lot of dry bright, sunny weather, but still some scattered showers in the north and west. Highest temperatures of just 0 to 5C in light to moderate west to northwest winds.
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