Ireland school closures as weather warnings remain in place

At least 35 schools across Donegal remain closed

As the country continues to battle freezing temperatures, schools in Donegal and in the North will remain shut or will open late on the first day of the new term.

At least 35 schools and several childcare centres across Donegal are staying closed on Monday.

A Status Yellow, Snow-Ice warning has been in place since 8:22 am on Sunday for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Louth and all of Connacht, and will remain in place until 11 am today (Monday, 5 January).

Forecasters have warned of wintry showers, as well as sharp or severe frost and ice, alongside hazardous travel conditions and poor visibility, according to the Irish Mirror.

A Status Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning has also been in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, and all of Munster from 5 pm on Sunday. It will remain in place until 11 am today.

The national forecaster, Met Éireann, has also warned that temperatures would fall between -2C and -5C, with severe frost, as well as black ice and treacherous travel conditions.

Then there's a Yellow Snow and Ice Warning in effect for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry.

According to the UK Met Office, snow and ice have the potential to cause travel disruption up until Monday (January 5). The warning is in place until midday on Monday.

While today will start very cold and frosty, the national forecaster has promised a dry and sunny day for most areas, with wintry conditions mainly confined to the north and northwest fringes by midday.