Met Éireann issues snow and ice alert for Cork as entire country under at least one warning
Met Éireann has said that "showers may fall as sleet or snow with some accumulations possible". Picture: Denis Minihane.
Difficult travelling conditions will impact the entire country on Thursday and Friday, with Met Éireann issuing three separate status yellow warnings.
The forecaster has issued a snow and ice warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, and Wicklow from 9pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday, with Met Éireann saying "showers may fall as sleet or snow with some accumulations possible".
Any snowfall will mainly impact those on high ground.
A nationwide status yellow wind warning has been in place since midnight, and it will remain in place until 6pm on Thursday. The forecaster is warning of strong and gusty south-westerly winds.
The forecaster said the wind warning could lead to difficult travelling conditions, debris or loose objects displaced, as well as some fallen branches or trees.
A status yellow rain warning is also in place for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, and Connacht.
The forecaster warned that heavy downpours in some places could lead to spot flooding, poor visibility, and difficult travelling. The rain warning will be in place until 3pm on Thursday.
A number of flights were diverted to Shannon Airport, both from Cork and Dublin.
A spokesperson for The Shannon Airport Group told the Irish Examiner two flights were diverted from Cork at 8am and 10.21am.
"Passengers from both flights are to be transferred by coach to Cork Airport," said the spokesperson.
Another flight from Amsterdam to Cork landed at Shannon Airport at 10.56am, with passengers for this service also due to be transferred by coach to Cork Airport.
"Shannon Airport is happy to assist airlines and our colleagues in other airports during weather-related disruptions and remains fully prepared to accommodate further diversions if required," they added.
Meanwhile, Daa spokesperson Graeme McQueen has advised intending air travel passengers to check their airline for disruption.
“In the last couple of hours we've had three flights divert to other airports and we've had eight go-arounds as well,” he told RTÉ radio’s Today with David McCullagh show.
“That's where the incoming plane tries to come down and land on the runway, but the wind levels are too strong and it goes back up again and then tries again. So a bit of disruption so far. The winds are actually due to get a bit stronger over the next two, three hours, so we're expecting the potential for further disruption as the morning goes on.
“The challenging conditions this morning are particularly bad for the smaller aircraft, the propeller aircraft trying to get in and out, so you may see some delays on those flights which serve the regional airports in the UK in particular. So keep in touch with your airline this morning if you are due to fly," he said.
Today will be cold with clear spells and scattered blustery showers, with some heavy with isolated thunderstorms possible tonight. According to Met Éireann, some of the showers will be a wintry mix of rain, hail, and sleet. Temperatures will fall to lows of 0C to 3C.
On Friday, the weather will be cold and breezy with bright or sunny spells and scattered showers.
Showers will gradually become less frequent early in the evening, becoming largely confined to Atlantic coastal counties with clear spells developing for a time. Cloud will increase from the Atlantic overnight with patchy rain and drizzle developing in western areas. Westerly winds will ease light to moderate and back southwesterly overnight. Lowest temperatures of -1C to 3C.
According to the forecaster, Saturday will start dry in the east with some sunshine, but cloud will continue to thicken from the west through the morning as patchy rain and drizzle spreads across the country during the afternoon. Highest temperatures will range between 7C to 10C.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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