The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) Crisis Management Team has issued a statement this afternoon to update the public on this week's cold spell.
Temperatures have dropped significantly today and are expected to fall further during the week. A statement issued by the NDFEM this afternoon says that 'A severe weather coordination meeting was held today (Monday, 8 February 2021), to review the weather forecast for the coming days, including the potential impact of snow and provide all key stakeholders with this information directly to enable relevant preparations to take place.'
It adds that 'The Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) Crisis Management Team has been meeting daily and working with Met Éireann, OPW, local authorities and other Government Departments and agencies since last Wednesday to monitor the forecasts and their predicted impacts.
'A weather advisory is in place until Wednesday evening for cold conditions and wintry showers. Forecasts at present indicate scattered, wintry showers of sleet or snow, mainly affecting the east and northeast today (Monday). Overnight tonight and into tomorrow, Tuesday, the sleet and snow showers will spread further westwards, but remaining frequent in the east and northeast where accumulations may reach 4 to 5cm. There is a potential for yellow snow/ice warning to be issued for this.
'Wintry showers will remain in the east and northeast again on Wednesday. Given the low temperatures, it is unlikely any remaining snow from Tuesday will thaw. Cold temperatures are predicted throughout the coming days, with night temperatures likely to be below freezing in most areas, and daytime temperatures will remain low also.
