Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow Weather Advisory for Ireland with exceptionally cold weather expected to occur this week. Air and ground temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal, with significant wind chill and penetrating severe frosts. Snow showers, mainly affecting eastern areas on Tuesday, will progressively become more widespread and heavier through midweek. A spell of persistent and heavy snow is expected to extend from the south late Thursday and Thursday night, with significant and disruptive accumulations.
Met Eireann has also issued a Status Yellow Snow-Ice Warning for Cork. Scattered snow showers later today and tonight will lead to accumulations of up to 3 cm in some parts by Wednesday morning. Widespread frost and icy conditions are expected.
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team and Crisis Management Team convened this morning to review preparations which are currently underway in advance of the expected freezing conditions.
Roads will be monitored and treatment undertaken in accordance with the Council’s Winter Service Plan. Snow ploughs are available to assist in clearing roads. All Priority 1 and 2 roads were treated last night and will be again tonight. Road treatment routes can be found at https://corkcoco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=458130007f7443099edaab1a8fc91839
The Council currently has 27 salt spreaders and can call upon other specialist equipment if required. This will continue over the coming days. Cork County Council currently has 3600 tonnes of salt in stock and is confident this reserve will ensure continuation of service throughout this forecasted severe weather period.
Grit is available at over 190 locations across the county for use by local communities. Council staff are currently replenishing stocks. Full locations can be found athttps://www.corkcoco.ie/node/1475
All road users are asked to exercise extreme caution on roads and to never assume that a route has been treated. Similarly pedestrians are asked to take extra care using footpaths.
Cork County Council has been in contact with Irish Water and has confirmed sufficient chemical storage for treatment plants. Tankers are also on standby for water supply for housing estates if required.
The Council’s Housing Department will respond to the impact that the severe weather may have on any person sleeping rough in the county. Cork County Council has also put a 24 hour maintenance policy into effect for Council tenants. If a Council tenant experiences any difficulty they are advised to contact 021 4800048.
Cork County Council is advising the public to make preparations for the severe weather forecasted for later in the week. Owners of vacant premises are asked to shut off their water supplies as a precaution in case of frozen pipes. Members of the public are asked to look in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to ensure they have adequate heating and food supplies for a few days.
Updates will be provided on Cork County Council’s social media channels and website. Members of the public can also receive dedicated alerts via the Cork County Alerts page. This is a free service providing registered users with real time alerts for severe weather road closures. Visit https://mapalerts.corkcoco.ie/en/ for more.
Useful advice on how to prepare for this severe weather event can be found at www.winterready.ie.
Further updates will issue in due course.
