Citizens are invited to remain vigilant due to an Orange level low temperature warning which concerns most departments, valid for the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Snowfall and sub-zero temperatures have already led to dangerous traffic conditions, causing power and water outages affecting thousands of homes. Teams from several agencies are mobilized to rescue isolated communities.
The most affected departments are Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Kerry, where the authorities have increased assistance to clear snow before negative temperatures set in again.
An Orange level warning is in effect for most departments from 8:00 p.m. Tuesday to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, with severe frosts, ice and snow expected.
Another Orange level low temperature warning is active from 6:00 p.m. Wednesday to 11:00 a.m. Thursday for 25 departments.
Meanwhile, a Yellow level warning is for low temperature in all counties until 6:00 a.m. Friday.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has warned people of “unseen risks” as temperatures could reach up to eight degrees below zero overnight.
Speaking in Naas, Co Kildare, at the opening of Craddockstown Special School, Mr Harris said Ireland was moving from snow to low temperatures and conditions became “treacherous”.
He added: “We are going to experience some cold weather, conditions that we don’t really experience in this country – with temperatures dropping to minus eight degrees, minus ten degrees. In some ways, this could be an even more dangerous time, because although snow is not visible everywhere, sidewalks and roads can be extremely dangerous.”
Officials insist on the importance of local decisions due to variations in weather conditions within departments, which imposes a “significant weight” on school directors and boards of directors to decide on the opening of establishments.
He encouraged citizens to “help each other” and declared that “we must not be afraid to turn on the heat” during this ice age.
Mr Harris insisted it is “vital that everyone remains on guard as pavements and roads can become very treacherous in the coming hours.”
The power company said 10,000 of its customers were without power as of 7 a.m. Tuesday, while about 17,000 people had no access to water as of midday, compared to 30,000 Monday evening.
No let up however, Irish water agency Uisce Eireann predicts that negative temperatures overnight could have further consequences on water supplies.
Temperatures are expected to struggle to rise above freezing during the day, causing transport disruptions and risky driving conditions.
Tuesday will be the hottest day, reaching freezing to 5°C.
Met Éireann forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock said it would be “particularly cold” overnight on Wednesday, adding that some wintry showers would affect the north and west of the country.
The lowest temperatures are expected to be between minus 8°C and minus 3°C generally, although drops even lower are possible in some areas, with severe frosts and slippery surfaces.
Agencies are also warning of the risk of freezing fog over the coming days.
Temperatures are expected to recover from Thursday evening and Friday with rain, snow and sleet moving towards the northeast of the country, bringing milder conditions for the weekend.
This cold snap left tens of thousands of people without water and electricity, with crews working to restore those services to the last affected homes and businesses on Tuesday.
Bad weather also led the health service to cancel non-urgent appointments in the southwest of the country.
The Irish Defense Forces were mobilized on Monday to help transport patients and essential healthcare staff amid precarious conditions.
Some public transport routes have been reduced or cancelled, while schools in the worst affected areas have also made the decision to close, with the situation assessed every morning.
A Yellow level snow and ice warning, issued by the Met Office, is in force for all of Northern Ireland until midday on Wednesday.
Ireland’s current situation highlights the growing climate challenges facing many countries, including those in Europe. As the cold snap persists and infrastructure faces extreme conditions, it is crucial that solidarity between citizens and emergency services is strengthened. This period of bad weather also reminds us of the importance of adequate preparation and collective awareness in the face of weather events which can be both unexpected and devastating.
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