Status Orange warning issued for several counties over ‘significant snow’

'Significant snowfall accumulations expected.'

Carlow, Clare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Wicklow are the counties that have been hit with an orange snow-ice alert by Met Éireann.

Valid for 24 hours from 5 pm on Saturday, January 4th, the impacts of the conditions are listed as:

• Very difficult travelling conditions
• Poor visibility
• Travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus)
• Difficult conditions underfoot
• Animal welfare issues

On top of this the provinces of Connacht and Leinster, as well as the counties Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Monaghan, Tipperary and Waterford have been issued a Status Yellow snow-ice warning.

Scheduled to take effect at the same time as the Status Orange alert, it also warns of expected "snowfall accumulations", which may cause hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption.

A Status Yellow rain and snow has also been published for Cork and Kerry and is set to take effect from 1 pm on Saturday until 5 pm on Sunday.

"Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow," it reads.

"Potential Impacts: Hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption and localised flooding."

The warnings follow Met Éireann putting out a weather advisory for all of Ireland this weekend.

"Sleet and snow in places this weekend, with some disruption possible," it reads.

"A spell of rain will spread northwards over Ireland during the course of Saturday, turning to sleet and snow in some areas. Rain, sleet and snow will continue for a time on Sunday before clearing eastwards into the Irish Sea.

"Significant accumulations of snow are likely in some counties."

"Potential Impacts: Hazardous travelling conditions and travel and service disruption."

The advisory is effective from 12 am on Saturday until 12 am on Monday.

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