Status yellow rainfall alert issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford

Met Éireann has warned of ice and lying snow that may lead to “hazardous conditions” in most parts of the country. Photo: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire

Met Éireann has released a status yellow rainfall warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford which will commence from midnight Saturday, February 13 to 12 pm the same day.

The three counties can expect 30 to 40mm of rainfall with strong to gale force onshore southeast winds. Met Éireann has warned there is also a potential risk of river and coastal flooding.

A status yellow snow and ice alert has been issued for Connacht, Leinster, and parts of Ulster which is valid from 2am tomorrow until midday Saturday.

Some parts of the country can expect accumulations of snow up to 5cm.

Gardaí have issued a road safety warning for the weekend while status yellow warnings are in place.

Take care out there if taking to the roads on essential journeys. Status Yellow warnings remain in place. Snow and Ice reported along western shores affecting Galway and Mayo. Please reduce speed if driving in affected areas. #StaySafe #StayHome pic.twitter.com/saGqamR8e7

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) February 12, 2021

Barry Aldworth, from the AA Roadwatch, has advised that motorists adapt their driving to the road conditions as some roads remain icy:

“Ultimately the best thing you can do in these kinds of weather conditions is to be mindful of your speed. The speed limit on the road is not a target, it is a maximum speed limit. The most important thing you can do is to adapt your driving to the weather conditions.

“If you are driving on particularly a rural road or a road unlikely to have been treated with grit, make sure you bring that speed right down.” 

All coasts can expect “fresh and gusty southeasterly winds” today with Munster experiencing temperatures of four to eight degrees. The rest of the country will stay that bit colder, with highs of one to four degrees.

The country can expect to have a “wet and windy” weekend, as rainfall is predicted to be heaviest in southern coastal counties with a risk of some flooding.