Met Éireann safety tips for frost, ice, snow that wintry weather brings

With the very cold northerly air-flow forecast to become established over Ireland this weekend, bringing frost, ice and some wintry showers, Met Éireann has the following tips on how to be ready for what the cold snap might bring.

• Stay up-to-date with the forecast and the warnings on ie, the Met Éireann app or Met Éireann socials (@meteireann).
  Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
• Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
• Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather; people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Laois County Council staff clear snow in Portlaoise.

• Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
• Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
• Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
• The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-readyprovides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
• People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.

READ ALSO: Leinster Express / Laois Live SNOW TRACKER LIVE 

• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
• ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor PowerCheck.ie.
• Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie  MORE BELOW PHOTO

Pictured: Snow clearance work at County Hall in Portlaoise.

• People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
  The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) have a free app which enables members of the public to alert them to the location of anyone sleeping rough, so that outreach teams can make contact with them. If you wish to make a report of a rough sleeper in the Dublin Region please download the app, the link can be found on the following website: https://www.homelessdublin.ie/our-work/news/drhe-launches-new-app-for-public-to-alert-teams-to-location-of-rough-sleepers
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
• People travelling long journeys check weather/ road conditions not just where they are starting from, but at their destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly.

Met Éireann says warnings can be updated so it urges people to please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ie and the Met Éireann app to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

It adds that the timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. Met Éireann also says it’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.

When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. Met Éireann says the type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions.

When issuing a warning, Met Éireann says it takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.