Schools and colleges will be closed in nine counties tomorrow as weather warnings will be in operation throughout the country for the arrival of Storm Eunice.
⚠️ Schools won't open in Clare or Waterford either tomorrow.
Added to the list of Cork and Kerry for a status red wind warning.
Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo also won't have schools open due to status orange snow warning.
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) February 17, 2022
Schools will not open in Waterford, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal.
⚠️ Statement from the Dept of Education confirming the closure of schools in Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. pic.twitter.com/yxFdl2eyzc
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) February 17, 2022
In Waterford, Clare, Cork and Kerry, a status red storm warnings will in place from 3am tomorrow until 8am.
A red wind warning has been issued for #Cork and #Kerry tomorrow morning for #StormEunice
Gusts over 130km/h 💨
Coastal flooding likely
Damage to power lines
Fallen trees expected 🍃
Dangerous driving conditions 🚗⚠️https://t.co/l8JdKfwZt9 pic.twitter.com/wrKASkEmTW— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 17, 2022
When that warning lifts the two counties will move to a status orange wind warnings until later on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, a status orange snow warning will be in operation across Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal.
Schools and colleges will also not open in these counties as Met Eireann is predicting "heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions".
That alert will run from 3am on Friday morning until 3pm on Friday afternoon.
While a status orange storm warning has been issued for Clare, Galway, Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Laois, Offaly and Dublin.
There is a Status Orange - #Wind warning issued for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, and all counties in Munster.
Valid from 3am - 11 am Friday 18th February.Further details available at https://t.co/l8JdKfwZt9 pic.twitter.com/2x32QMt3dk
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 17, 2022
This warning is in place from 3.00am until 11.00am tomorrow.
Met Éireann says winds will reach speeds of 65 to 80 km/h - with gusts up to 130 km/h.
And a status yellow wind, rain and snow warning remains in place for all other areas.
In a statement, the Department of Education said:
"Due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, the Department of Education is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings are in place and in counties where Status Orange Snow warnings are in place should not open tomorrow 18 February.
Remote teaching and learning should commence where possible, in line with schools’ remote teaching and learning plans.
All schools should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area.
A Status Red Alert has now been issued by Met Éireann relating to severe wind for counties:
• Cork
• Kerry
Status orange snow warnings have issued for counties:
• Donegal
• Mayo
• Sligo
• Leitrim
• Roscommon
Met Éireann has advised that this is a multi-hazard event with wind and heavy snow. Storm Eunice will bring heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions in parts with treacherous driving conditions. The storm is expected to impact most during school commuting hours and this will make journeys to school extremely hazardous in the morning in those areas.
All other counties may open schools, subject to local conditions. Schools should have regard to the guidance on winterready.ie on safe opening.
All schools should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area."
