Public urged to brace for 'exceptional' snow event as storm hits

The public has been warned to brace for an “exceptional” snow event from tomorrow afternoon that will ravage the country for a number of days and bring with it 110km gale force winds and thunderstorms.

National expert co-ordination group chair Sean Hogan and weather forecaster Evelyn Cusack urged that the warnings be taken seriously as they dismissed claims the predictions have led to “hysteria” as people panic-buy in preparation for what is to come.

At the second daily briefing of the NECG in Dublin, Mr Hogan said while the snow expected last night and this morning is “normal”, events will change dramatically from late tomorrow afternoon.