BREAKING - Status Red issued for all of Ireland #stormemma #beastfromtheeast

Met Éireann has upgraded its current Status Red Snow-ice Warning for all of Ireland as Storm Emma is set to collide with the Beast from the East over Ireland.

The forecaster's warning for further heavy snow showers will bring accumulations of significant levels with all areas at risk is in force from 11am  on Wednesday, February 8 to 3pm , Friday March 2.

The forecaster says blizzard conditions will develop from the south Thursday afternoon and evening as heavy snow and strong easterly winds bring snow drifts northwards over the country. Eastern and southern coastal counties will be worst affected.

The warning was issued at 11pm on Wednesday, February 28.

It replaces a number of other Status Orange and Red Warnings. There had been two Status Red restricted warnings in place. One covered all Munster and Leinster and a second covered parts of Munster and Leinster. 

The rest of the country was under a yellow warning.

LATEST FORECAST

RED Snow-Ice Warning issued FOR ALL COUNTIES
Status: Red
Valid: Wed 11pm until Friday 3pm
Latest information & warning updates here:https://t.co/X6NncUghZ9 pic.twitter.com/nUlpHYwxzO

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2018

Met Éireann says Status Red level warnings are only issued in rare cases of severe weather. Met Éireann says it implies that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties. This could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily. staying indoors, or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions. 

The criteria for a Status Red Snow/Ice warning is that significant falls of snow are likely to cause accumulations of 8 cm or greater. The extent of the snow would lead to slippery paths and roads due to accumulation of ice on untreated surfaces; situation likely to worsen.

A Red Warning for low temperatures is issued when conditions fall to minus 10C or lower and that they only rise to minus 2C or lower.