Met Éireann has warned motorists and commuters to take care on the roads following a “bitterly cold treacherous start” to the morning.
Siobhan Ryan of Met Éireann told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 that weather conditions have unfolded “pretty much as was forecast”.
“We have got lying snow across many parts of the Midlands and West and particularly over Mayo and Galway. Actually, the wintry mix and sleet and snow is currently mainly in over the southwest and the south of Ireland and it’s still transitioning into snow over parts of the south of Munster at present. And actually there are some pools of heavy water in across southern most fringes.
“So for the main, actually, it’s dry a lot of dry weather across the northern half the country, but frosty and icy like I said, lying snow primarily for the Midlands, West and the Midlands. And that wintry mix then continuing to affect the South and southwest for a few hours.”
Ms Ryan said that conditions will remain treacherous over the next few hours before gradually improving as the day goes on.
Snow also fell in Limerick and in Clare overnight. Particularly impacted areas include Newcastle West, Adare and Patrickswell, Doonbeg, Kilkee and Milltown Mallbay. Whilst conditions are challenging, most routes are passable.
Cork has been hit by more snow than rain with large downpours in the city and county overnight. However, snow is falling in parts of Co Cork including Mallow, Kanturk and Bottle Hill. Flights at Cork Airport have continued to depart and land on schedule.
In Kerry, motorists are being urged to avoid the N69 Tralee to Listowel Road at Glenoe which is closed west of the Bog Village. A large amount of snow has fallen on the N21 between Abbeyfeale and Castleisland. Crews from the local authority are currently ploughing and salting the area.
Conditions are also difficult in Galway, where heavy snow fell during the night. A single vehicle accident occurred near Junction 14 on the westbound carriageway between Loughrea and Athenry.
Some roads in Connemara are impassable and delays have been reported on the Ballinsloe exits on the motorway following an accident.
Diversions have been put in place between Moycullen and Oughterard after a lorry jackknifed, blocking the N59.
A yellow alert for snow and ice has come into effect for 17 counties (Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon) until 12pm on Thursday.
