Snow and ice reported on high ground as temperatures drop across Cork

Snow has been reported to be falling steadily on higher ground across Cork county on Sunday evening, as temperatures drop and a Met Éireann status yellow low temperature and ice warning comes into effect for Cork and 16 other counties.

Overnight temperatures are expected to drop as low as -5 on Sunday night, and the weather warning will remain in effect until 11am tomorrow.

Met Éireann has forecasted sharp or severe frost and icy stretches across affected areas, with black ice expected locally and treacherous travel conditions throughout the warning periods.

Rainfall, sleet and snow are also expected overnight throughout Cork county, with a high probability of freezing fog and mist.

Cork County Council has deployed snow ploughs to Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes, and will be treating all Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes overnight, while Priority 3 routes will be treated during daylight on Monday. 

Met Éireann's staus yellow low temperature and ice warning affects Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.

A status yellow snow-ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, and Sligo will come into effect tonight at 6pm.

The six counties will also be under an overnight status yellow snow and ice warning, the UK Met Office said. 

Motorists are advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, and, if they must travel, they are advised to drive with extreme care as icy stretches and black ice is likely across the county, even on treated roadways.

Pedestrians and cyclists should exercise extreme caution as footpaths and other untreated surfaces could be treacherous.

The public is advised to prepare for this period of severe weather, and among those measures to ensure mobile phones are fully charged and with them on all journeys.

In an emergency dial 999 or 112.

Met Éireann will give up-to-date forecasts on met.ie, and Cork County Council’s website www.corkcoco.ie and social media channels @Corkcoco will provide updates on treated routes and council services.