Carlow County Council have attended a briefing with the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management and Met Éireann, subsequently Carlow County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team have met and activated the Severe Weather Response Plan. Further meetings, briefings and updates will continue throughout the period of severe weather.
Carlow County Council Weather Warning & Advisory:
Potential impacts:
• Falls of sleet and snow with snowfall accumulations expected.
• Very difficult and Hazardous travelling conditions
• Poor visibility
• Travel disruption & delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus)
• Footpaths; difficult conditions underfoot
• Animal welfare issues
Met Éireann has issued:
Warnings & Advisories for Co Carlow
STATUS ORANGE – SNOW-ICE WARNING FOR CARLOW - 17:00 Saturday 04/01/2025 to 17:00 Sunday 05/01/2025
Infrequent and dangerous weather conditions which may pose a threat to life and property.
Prepare yourself in an appropriate way depending on location and activity. All people and property in the affected areas can be significantly impacted.
Check your activity/event and delay or cancel as appropriate.
Public Safety Information - protective actions advised:
- Weather conditions will be disruptive for travel throughout the warning timeframes. Wintery showers, sleet, snow and icy surfaces can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, e.g., cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles. Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey. The public should note that local conditions will vary across the country and consider those conditions. Any necessary journeys should be planned carefully in advance of setting out. People travelling long journeys should check weather/ road conditions not just where they are starting from, but at their destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly. Carlow Co Co winter maintenance plan and salting routes are available at https://carlow.ie/media/1028/download?inline
- Carlow County Council's Homeless Services operates an extended Cold Weather Protocol from November 1st, 2024 to March 31st, 2025. With the assistance of funding provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and in accordance with the Regional Homeless Action Plan, Carlow County Council is operating a cold weather initiative for anyone that is homeless and rough sleeping. This scheme operates throughout the winter period and any person that is rough sleeping may contact Carlow County Council to avail of an overnight bed during the winter period. Anyone that is rough sleeping should make contact with homeless services by email to homeless@carlowcoco.ie or during office hours phone 0599172496 . After office hours phone 059 9170300. If any member of the public sees a person rough sleeping they may report this and a member of the homeless services team will investigate. The homeless team will also actively carry out patrols in the Town areas and make contact with homeless people at risk during extreme weather. Further information can be found here Homelessness Support | Carlow Co Co
- Carlow County Council have established a Severe Weather Event Control Centre from 09:00 hrs Sunday 05/01/25 in response to the severe weather, contact number is 059-9170302.
- Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
- People are advised to prepare for the arrival of the wintry conditions including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
- Please check with Transport For Ireland for updates on public transport operations and networks https://www.transportforireland.ie/
- Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
- The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
- Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
- ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
- Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie.
- People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
- Advice for Air to Water heating systems during cold weather: -
- The top temperature setting should be maintained at 18 to 21 Degrees, regardless of the temperature outside. This is the most efficient and sustainable temperature. If it is set any higher the property will never get up to 24 or 25 degrees and the outdoor unit will likely freeze over or fault out as it is constantly running.
- Depending on personal preference turn the stats down at night to a maximum of 12 to 15 Degrees. If they are left at the high temperature the outdoor until will be running all night in very low temperatures. Apart from the inefficiency, it will be producing condensate that will freeze and eventually clog up the unit.
- Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
- The Public are advised to stay away from areas of high ground where there may be significant accumulations of snowfall and be inaccessible such as Mt. Leinster. The L-3005-23 road from Carroll’s Cross to Tomduff at the Nine Stones will be closed from 14:00 hrs Saturday 04/01/25 until the period of severe weather ends. Local access will be available from Tomduff side only.
Contact Details:
The contact number for Carlow County Council Out of Hours Assistance for Local Authority services of an urgent nature is 059 9170300.
A Severe Weather Event Control Centre will be established in response to the severe weather alert on Sunday 05/01/25 from 09:00 hrs 059 9170302.
Other emergency contact details include:
Fire/An Garda Síochána/National Ambulance Service 999/112,
Water and Wastewater (Irish Water) 1800 278 278
ESB 1800 372 999
Gas Networks Ireland 1800 205 050
Transport For Ireland https://www.transportforireland.ie/
Met Éireann Weather Warning:
Leinster - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service https://www.met.ie/leinster-forecast.html
Warnings & Advisories - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service https://www.met.ie/warnings-today.html
Weather warnings explanation - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service https://www.met.ie/weather-warnings
We will update further if there are any changes to these warnings.