The Taoiseach has reiterated that people should stay indoors from tomorrow afternoon as the Beast from the East continues to bite.
A red alert for snow, ice and blizzard-like conditions has been extended until at least Friday afternoon.
Schools and colleges in Leinster and Munster will be closed tomorrow and Friday due to the red weather alert for snow and ice.
Met Éireann says that the worst of the snowfall will take place from 4pm tomorrow, and that people should aim to be at home between that time and midday on Friday.
Leo Varadkar says people should heed the warnings.
"Storm Emma is coming up from the south and will meet polar air from the east - it'll give rise to heavy snowfalls, combined with strong winds of up to 100 kph.
"These conditions will start at approximately 4pm tomorrow and spread northwards across Munster and Leinster.
"Met Éireann has issued a red level warning for blizzard-like conditions in Muster and Leinster from 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon till noon on Friday.
"Having considered this serious warning, the National Emergency Coordination Group has advised that people should not venture out of doors when the red level warning is in place".
Image: RollingNews.ie
Dublin Bus will not operate tomorrow, and neither will Bus Éireann services in Leinster and Munster.
Irish Rail services will wind down between 12pm and 2pm, while Luas services will also be limited.
key message is Public Safety during the serious height of this weather alert from 16:00 tomorrow into Friday.... please heed the messages being issued and available at https://t.co/u5elVnXiQ6 winter ready advice available at https://t.co/9VvHvmooG8 pic.twitter.com/pebb51EzXZ
— OEP (@emergencyIE) February 28, 2018
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy attended the National Emergency Coordination group meeting earlier.
Afterwards he said people should seriously consider whether they should venture out tomorrow, and should talk to their employers.
#necg press conference concludes with Chair Sean Hogan saying Leinster and Munster will effectively shut down from tomorrow while red alert in place
— Nicole Gernon (@nicole_gernon) February 28, 2018
Met Éireann is forecasting blizzard like conditions as Storm Emma approaches.
A red alert is already in place for eastern counties with up 16cm of snow in some parts.
It came in at 5am this morning for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath and will remain in effect until 12 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Severe Weather Warning issued for Snow/Ice
Status: RED
Location: Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath
Valid: Wed 5am to Thurs 12pm
Warning updates will be issued in due course
Latest information here:https://t.co/X6NncUghZ9 pic.twitter.com/rWhZ3kTAu8— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2018
A further red warning has since been issued:
Status Red Snow-ice Warning for Munster and Leinster
Valid from Thursday 01 March 16:00 to Friday 02 March 12:00
please see https://t.co/9BeK3UcAwO pic.twitter.com/WpahT6mfM1— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2018
The Department of Social Protection says social welfare payments will be available tomorrow.
It's made arrangements with An Post and banks to provide the payment a day early, due to the severe weather.
However there may be circumstances where post offices have to close to due worsening weather conditions.
The Government has confirmed it will double the fuel allowance for this week.
Around 330,000 people will benefit from the extra €22.50 to heat their homes.
The Taoiseach says the army is standing by in case they're needed during the freezing weather.
Leo Varadkar says the country is prepared for the storm to come, 'I want to assure the Irish people that while we're hoping for the best, we're of course preparing for the worst and we will be ready for whatever the weather brings'
