Contingency plans put in place  as country braces for Beast from the East 2.0

The national forecaster says severe frost and ice will settle from Sunday and into early next week with falls of sleet and snow also expected. Picture: Andy Gibson. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has liaised with local authorities to prepare for a severe weather response to what Met Éireann is warning will be 'a significant snow event' next week.

The NDFEM and the national forecaster briefed local authorities early on Friday morning. They said the relevant Government departments are making contingency plans.

A cold front from Siberia will move in from the east and meet with a low-pressure system resulting in snow, with the most severe conditions expected on Wednesday and Friday.

The national forecaster says severe frost and ice will settle from Sunday and into early next week with falls of sleet and snow also expected.

Very cold conditions, with widespread frost and ice, are forecast on Sunday night, with temperatures dropping to around -3C.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather says we could see a repeat of Storm Emma in 2018.

He said: "So the potential there I suppose will be in some ways similar to what we saw with Storm Emma, where you have a low system that comes and meets the cold air and stalls and you end up with high accumulations of very heavy snow extending into most areas."

Forecasters are predicting the possibility the country could see conditions similar to those during the Beast from the East storm of 2018. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Dublin

With forecasters predicting conditions similar to Storm Emma, widespread disruptions are predicted for the latter half of the week.

Cathal Nolan, Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, says the heaviest snow is likely to fall on Wednesday and Friday.

"We're keeping a very close eye on two particular systems that were picked up by various weather models," he said.

"They seem to bring a spell of more prolonged and organised snow into the country, certainly on Wednesday and then the models did pick up on a similar event occurring on Friday."

Mr Nolan added the two systems could bring widespread disruption and some heavy snowfalls right across the country.

"If they continue to play out over the course of the coming days as they have done... then certainly there does exist the potential for a snow event next week on par with that experienced in 2018."

Here is our 10 day Atlantic Chart, showing the pressure and precipitation forecast in 6 hour intervals.https://t.co/9Giuj4CR5mhttps://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/qscXnPAJ5I

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 4, 2021

RSA Advice

During snowy and icy conditions friction is and stopping distance is greatly reduced, and the RSA is advising all motorists to drive slowly, use controls delicately and leave extra braking distance between vehicles. File Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution during the conditions the country is likely to experience from Sunday onwards.

Drivers have been advised to check windows and mirrors before beginning any journeys and to use a scraper or de-icer. The RSA says the use of hot water is to be avoided as it can crack glass.

They say all snow should be removed from vehicles before beginning journeys as dropping snow can cause a sudden and severe vision restriction to your car and other cars on the road.

During snowy and icy conditions friction is and stopping distance is greatly reduced, and the RSA is advising all motorists to drive slowly, use controls delicately and leave extra braking distance between vehicles.

🔊Advisory

📍 Ireland

🌨 Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be very cold with temperatures in low single figures by day and with sharp or severe frosts and icy patches at night. Full details ⬇

📆 Sun 7 - Wed 10 Feb

⏰ 6am - 6pm

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) February 5, 2021

In snow or sleet conditions, visibility will be significantly reduced. 

Thus, drivers have been advised to refrain from driving on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front (Target Fixing). 

This, the RSA says, can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely. 

In heavy snow, drivers should make use of fog lights. It may also be helpful to turn off radios and open windows a fraction, so as to better hear other traffic, especially at junctions.

Use of dipped headlights is advised at all times in heavy snow to ensure visibility to other motorists. Dipped headlights should be switched off after use. 

Lastly, motorists are asked to be wary of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and to allow for extra space if passing them.