ALERT: Weather warning extended amid threat of further falls of sleet and snow in Limerick
Thousands of homes, farms and businesses without electricity across the country
MET ÉIREANN has extended its status orange snow/ice warning for Limerick as the current cold snap is set to continue for several days.
There was heavy snowfall in parts of the city and county overnight with accumulations severely impacting travel in several areas while while more than 10,000 homes, farms and businesses across the city county are without electricity.
In an update, issued this Sunday morning, Met Eireann says further falls of sleet and snow are likely in Limerick and several other counties this Sunday evening.
A new status orange snow/ice warning for Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Laois and Offaly will come into effect at 5pm and remain valid until 8pm.
Potential impacts include very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption and delays to public transport.
Senior officials from Limerick City and County Council attended a briefing by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management on Saturday and the local authority's Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) is monitoring conditions locally.
A number of roads - particularly in west Limerick are impassable due to snow accumulations and the local authority has deployed snow ploughs and crews across the county.
Met Eireann, which has also issued a status yellow low temperature/ice warning for all of Ireland, says there will be difficult conditions underfoot and that animal welfare issues are also likely.