Ireland ‘side of caution’ school closure update as map reveals where snow falls TONIGHT amid new Met Eireann warning

FREEZING temperatures are set to bring snow to some parts of Ireland tonight.

Met Eireann has today issued snow and ice warnings for 11 counties and maps have revealed exactly where the white stuff is set to fall.

Arctic air will stream in from the North-Atlantic, bringing with it snow and gale force winds.

Met Eireann has issued Status Yellow snow and ice warnings for counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Wicklow.

The weather bosses said showers may fall as sleet or snow with some “accumulations possible”, mainly on high ground.

They warned of difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

The weather warnings are valid from 9pm this evening until 9am tomorrow morning.

Met Eireann had already slapped the entire country with Status Yellow wind warnings, sounding the alarm over strong and gusty southwesterly winds.

The all-county warning kicked-in at midnight last night and will expire at 6pm this evening.

Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Connacht have been under a Status Yellow rain warning since 6am.

The alert will remain in place until 3pm this afternoon.

The UK Met Office has also placed all six counties under Yellow wind warnings, which will expire at 12pm today.

Regarding tonight’s forecast, Met Eireann said: “Cold with clear spells and scattered blustery showers tonight, some heavy with isolated thunderstorms possible.

“Some of the showers will be a wintry mix of rain, hail, and sleet. Temporary lying snow is possible, mainly across parts of the northwest and about higher ground elsewhere.

“Lowest temperatures of 0C to 3C in fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds with gales along Atlantic coasts.”

The weather has already caused significant disruption with three inbound flights to Dublin Airport diverted.

And the Department of Education said it is monitoring the situation and told schools to “err on the side of caution” when it comes to closures.

A spokesperson said all schools should keep up to date with current weather warnings and the decision to close rests with school management.

They added: ” In all events, and if in any doubt, schools should err on the side of caution.

“Schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgement, in the interests of the safety of the school community, it is prudent to do so.”

And amid the “intense rainfall”, Andrew O’Reilly of Carlow Weather warned of lightning strikes, with several reported near Thurles this morning.