Met Éireann safety tips for frost, ice, snow that wintry weather brings
Met Éireann has issued warnings about the impact of arctic weather on the way
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.
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.
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.
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.