Batten down the hatches.
A snow and ice weather warning comes into effect this afternoon as the country prepares for Storm Caroline, the newest of its kind set to ravage Ireland’s roads.
The Storm, arriving to us via The UK, is set to pass close to the north-west coast of the country. This will see the surrounding counties battered by ”thundersnow”, a rare phenomenon which occurs when thunderstorms – meteorological phenomenons which are much more common in the summer months – happen during the winter months.
During these colder times, rain brought on by a thunderstorm can freeze and then fall as ”thundersnow.”
A wind alert is currently in place for the counties of Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry until 8pm tonight. Temperatures are also set to plummet nationwide from Thursday.
❄ A Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Ireland comes into effect this afternoon. 💨 A Status Yellow wind warning for some counties came into effect overnight. pic.twitter.com/cJEuXTWSwY
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2017
Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for the whole country, asking specifically for motorists in the middle of the country to be aware of icy roads and freezing temperatures.
”Cold and frosty overnight with icy roads. Some clear spells, but fairly widespread wintry showers also, with falls of sleet and snow expected. These will be heaviest and most frequent over Ulster north Connacht and north Leinster, with accumulations of snow expected. Northwest winds will stay strong and gusty. A widespread sharp ground frost will form with icy patches forming widely on untreated roads and footpaths. Lowest temperatures minus 2 to plus 3 degrees, coldest inland and over the eastern half of the country.”
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