WEATHER: Bus Éireann cancels services and airport issues warning to passengers as snow persists

Motorists, pet owners and holidaymakers are all being urged to take care today (February 8) as snow and heavy rain descends on many counties. 

Snow and ice has been forecast for eight counties including Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Longford, with sleet and snow expected to accumulate on higher ground in particular. 

Other counties are also affected by heavy rain and high winds. 

That's according to Met Éireann, which has also warned of hazardous driving conditions, poor visibility and ice on untreated surfaces. 

The Status Yellow warning took effect from 5am this morning and the poor weather is expected to last until 8pm this evening. 

Weather outlook 

According to Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather, the morning will be very wet and windy with rain for most but sleet and snow in parts of the North and Northwest and some mountains. 

Temperatures will reportedly range from 0c to 11c, with unusually strong winds from the East. 

Carlow Weather followers reported snow in multiple areas this morning including Leitrim, the Galway/Mayo border, Longford, and Roscommon, with rain and winds in Meath, Clare, Dublin, Sligo and Cavan. 

Air travel 

Ireland West Airport is urging passengers to check flight information before arriving to ensure the flight schedule has not changed. 

The airport warned of snow and ice for surroundings areas including Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Longford, and that "persistent heavy snow" this morning may impact their flight schedule. 

However, they confirmed the airport is "currently operating". 

⚠️ ❄️ Status Yellow snow-ice warning in place for Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Longford.

Due to persistent heavy snow this morning our flight schedule may be impacted today. The airport is currently operating but passengers should check directly… pic.twitter.com/svdWo0FE2t

— Ireland West Airport (@Irelandwest) February 8, 2024

In a post published on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this morning, a spokesperson stated: "If travelling to or from the airport today, please allow extra time to get to the airport." 

Bus service disruptions

Meanwhile, a number of Bus Éireann services have been cancelled in the Eastern and North Eastern regions of the country today. 

This includes the 10.38am Dublin to Ratoath (Route 103), and the 9am Navan to Kingscourt and 10am Kingscourt to Navan (both Route 107). 

Routes D1, D2, D4, D5, N1 and N2 will all operate at a "reduced frequency" until further notice. 

The 6.30am Dublin to Drogheda bus was also cancelled earlier this morning, as well as the 7.50am Enfield to Dublin and 8.30am Mullingar to Dublin (both Route 115). 

The 7.30am Fermoy to MTU (Route 245) was also cancelled. 

Bus Éireann has apologised for any inconvenience caused to passengers. 

Pet safety 

Dog welfare group, MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption), is urging pet owners to take extra care with pets in cold weather conditions. 

A spokesperson for the group posted on their official Facebook page with the following reminder: "If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pet!" 

They stated: "Please be aware of the weather warnings! Yellow Snow-Ice Warning and Separate Yellow Rain Warning. In effect from the early hours of Thursday 08/02/24. Please keep your pets safe and warm inside." 

Roads 

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has released a safety video on navigating "extremely dangerous" black ice on roads, with Irish weather presenter Theresa Mannion advising people to take extra care. 

According to Mannion, black ice usually forms in sheltered and shaded areas on the road, under trees and near high walls. 

She advised motorists to avoid getting into a skid in the first place by slowing down, and to treat every road as though it's frozen. 

However, she also advised anyone who finds themselves in a skid to ensure they do not break and use every control "very delicately". 

She said, "Don't get caught out when severe weather strikes." 

⚠️ Yellow Weather Warning – Rainfall ⚠️
Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow
Thur 8, 5am – Fri 9, 5am
Rain and sleet coupled with blustery easterly winds. Possible impacts:
• Localised flooding#VisionZero pic.twitter.com/UpjPWeTMSq

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) February 7, 2024