The N2 in Monaghan is currently registering an air temperature of -14.5 degrees celsius, the N3 at Cavan -13.3 degrees so temperatures are better in the North West at present.
The Collooney bypass in Sligo on the N4 is registering -4.2 degrees and the N15 Bundoran bypass is coming in at -2.2 degrees. That being said driving conditions are still hazardous throughout the north west and the message is clear – if you can avoid that car journey – do so. Read more
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has re-issued its message for road users to exercise caution as snow and icy weather conditions are set to return to parts of the county again.
Met Eireann has advised that it will be very cold and wintry everywhere from Thursday into next week (snow showers initially across Ulster Connacht and west Munster). 5 – 10 cm of snow, and more over higher ground up to Friday morning with more to follow countrywide is forecast. Read more
There has been no let up in the freezing conditions of the last week throughout Ireland. The lowest recorded temperature in the north west was at Killygordon, Co Donegal within the last hour when the air temperature had plummeted below -11 degrees celsius.
Many schools are closed throughout the region, as with much of the country. Parents are advised to keep in contact with schools, but most now know in advance if the schools are opening. Read more
Road conditions are in a treacherous condition throughout the north west. There has been a slight thaw in some parts this afternoon, but overall things are expected to get worse again as evening and night approaches.
Coldest areas in Donegal were in Inishowen, Barnesmore Gap, Killygordan, Lough Mourne and Bundoran. Barnesmore Gap is impassable. The latter was recording an air temperature of -5.9 degrees celsius at 8am and it was similarly cold in parts of Sligo and Leitrim.
Parents/guardians of children using school transport services are advised that due to bad weather conditions in some parts of the country there may be disruption to services over the next week.
Parents/guardians are advised to consult with national and local information resources in relation to road conditions in their local area, which may determine whether a particular service can operate.
Parents/guardians can also contact their local school transport office from Monday (November 29th 2010) morning to check on the status of the relevant service during this period of inclement weather.
The vast majority of Bus Eireann services around the country are operating as per normal.
Due to weather conditions in the east, some Bus Eireann services operating in that part of the country are experiencing delays and disruption.
*CONNAUGHT* *N17/SLIGO/GALWAY* Extremely icy on the N17 Galway/Sligo Rd between Tubbercurry and Tuam. *N4/SLIGO* Treacherous on the N4 at Collooney. * Very slippery in Grange & Ballymote. *GALWAY* Icy on the Coast Rd at the Dublin Rd jct in Galway City. *LEITRIM* Very icy in Carrick-On-Shannon & Manorhamilton, particularly the Manorhamilton/Kinlough Rd (R280). *MAYO* Snow & ice in Westport, Castlebar, along the N5/Dublin Rd at Swinford & through Claremorris.
*ULSTER* Very icy conditions in Cavan, Donegal & secondary routes in Monaghan. *N15/DONEGAL* The N15/Donegal/Ballybofey Rd is impassable at Barnesmore Gap due to treacherous road conditions.
*DUBLIN AIRPORT* * Expect delays to the flight schedule today due to snowy conditions. • Aer Lingus flight EI603 due from Amsterdam at 10.10 has been delayed until 11.17. • Ryanair flight FR813A due from Glasgow PIK at 10.25 has been delayed until 14.35. • Aer Lingus flight EI3253 due from Edinburgh at 10.50 has been cancelled. • Aer Lingus flight EI155 due from London-LHR at 11.15 has been cancelled. • Ryanair flight FR817 due from Edinburgh at 13.45 has been delayed until 16.50.
*CORK AIRPORT* * There are no major delays or cancellations for flights into Cork Airport. *SHANNON AIRPORT* * There are no major delays or cancellations for flights into Shannon Airport.
*IRELAND WEST AIRPORT* * There are no major delays or cancellations for flights into Ireland West Airport.
This morning the Minister for Transport, Mr Noel Dempsey T.D. was briefed by the state transport agencies on their plans over the coming days to ensure that commuters face the least disruption possible during this cold spell.
Speaking today Minister Dempsey said; “This morning I met with the various transport agencies who set out their plans to ensure that commuters face the least disruption possible over the coming days when conditions are forecast to be particularly difficult for the travelling public. Read more
Ireland’s first dedicated weather news and long range forecast website, Irish Weather Online has been launched.
The independently run website has already been profiled on The Weather Channel in the US since it went live last week.
Described as a website by weather enthusiasts for weather enthusiasts, the site features a daily long range weather forecast from climatologist Peter O’Donnell, the latest news relating to the weather and climate in Ireland, and weather related video and imagery. Read more
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has today, Monday 11th January 2010, advised road users to remain vigilant on the roads as the snow and ice begins to thaw this week.
Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive Officer, RSA said “There is a danger that road users and particularly motorists may be lulled into a false sense of security as the conditions improve. As well as the obvious danger from lingering patches of snow and ice in sheltered areas, the roads during the thaw will pose an additional set of challenges to road users.”
“Specifically motorists need to be aware that grit residue, which has been used in combination with salt, may remain on roads for a few days after the thaw and given the volumes spread drivers should be aware of the risk of skidding on grit. This is especially true on bends and in the centre of the road where a build up of grit will occur.” He said.
The RSA has the following advice for road users;
Bus Eireann update
Subject to road and weather conditions, the vast majority of services in the east of the country are currently operating with some delays. Some local services operating on secondary roads are likely to be disrupted.
The majority of services in the rest of the country are operating with some delays.
Services between Dublin-Limerick are cancelled for the moment due to conditions on the Naas Road.
100X Dundalk-Dublin is operating with delays because snow on M1 has restricted it to one lane. 101 Drogheda-Dublin is operating via Port Tunnel into Dublin.
190 Laytown Drogheda service is cancelled.
Given the snow forecast for today throughout the country, Bus Eireann will continue to monitor this situation closely and we would advise customers to contact their local travel office for information on individual services or visit www.buseireann.ie.
Bus Eireann would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused.
For information on Dublin Bus services, please visit www.dublinbus.ie. For information on rail services, please visit www.irishrail.ie.
Senator Pearse Doherty
Donegal Sinn Féin Senator, Pearse Doherty, has deemed the Irish government response to the big freeze as ‘farcical’. Donegal based Senator Doherty set out a number of steps that still need to be taken to address the hardship caused by the freezing weather.
Pearse Doherty said:
“The Arctic weather is causing huge hardship across the country – for those unable to leave their homes due to ice and snow, those without water or heat, those who cannot afford to meet the extra costs of heating their homes through this prolonged cold spell.
“Underfunded councils are simply not prepared to deal with the extent of the crisis and clearly neither is the government. What we are getting from the government is far too little far too late. All available resources and personnel should be deployed to help those worst affected by the severe weather.
“It took up until the Thursday 7th January for someone to be put in charge of the government’s response while the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has chosen to remain on his holidays as transport grinds to a halt.
“Up until Thursday evening the only reference on the Department of the Environment website to the arctic weather is a statement announcing that the freezing conditions would lead to the “temporary closure of the hunting season for waterfowl”.
“There is nothing to suggest that any thought whatsoever was given to those people stranded and snow bound in their homes; nothing about the fact that some householders have been without water since before Christmas; nothing on the Department of Agriculture website suggesting any concern for the plight of farmers for whom this weather is creating huge difficulties.
“The government appears oblivious to the extent of hardship being experienced across the state.
“Every hour of every day I and other Sinn Féin representatives are receiving calls from the public, who are both angry and desperate. These calls range from the serious sick that can’t get to hospital, to the workers who can’t get to work. From the elderly in isolated communities who haven’t been able to leave their homes for the past few weeks and are worried about food and fuel to the business community who are the rate payers of the county who are been forced out of business because the council can’t or wont salt roads.
During all of this time our frontline public servants, especially our council workers who are working on our roads and water services are to be commended.
Senator Doherty added,
“I am proposing the following steps to be take immediately to help alleviate the pressures on those worst effected.
• One government agency should be given overall responsibility for coordinating the response to ensure that the road network (national secondary and tertiary roads) are accessible.
• Where possible local authority staff from other sections within the council should be redeployed to clear roads and footpaths.
• The Defence Forces should be deployed to clear roads and footpaths and to ensure water, food and fuel is distributed to those without water or unable to leave their homes because of ice and snow.
• Minister Gormley should make clear that an additional payment will be made as part of the 2010 road maintenance grant to local authorities to cover the cost of additional gritting.
• A national emergency helpline should be established and advertised to enable people, such as those left without water or unable to leave their homes, to report problems or seek help.
• Introduction of a special emergency payment for recipients of Fuel Allowance to help them cope with the current spell of freezing weather and the remainder of the winter.
• Grit should be made available to homeowners including the provision of grit boxes in housing estates and in local communities.
• All emergency vehicles including gardaí, fire brigades and ambulances should be fitted with winter tyres.
• VAT rates for winter tyres should be reduced to 13.5% to encourage motorists (particularly in those parts of the country most prone to ice and snow) to utilize these in the winter.
William Monagle Chairman of Donegal IFA
Donegal IFA County Chairman William Monagle has said that the severe frost and ice that occurred in recent weeks has left many people in rural Ireland, especially the elderly, cut off from food and fuel supplies.
Mr Monagle said, “The rural community is very conscious of these problems and neighbours are helping out each other in every way they can. With the availability of tractors and jeeps, farm families are in a good position to access local shops and services, and I would encourage IFA members to assist in bringing food and fuel supplies to isolated families.
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