Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Ireland are currently grappling with power and water outages due to severe winter weather, marking one of the coldest snaps seen this season.
The dire conditions have led to school closures and significant disruptions to public transport. Public health services have also been affected, with many non-urgent appointments canceled by the Health Service Executive. Dangerous road conditions persist, with multiple reports highlighting travel treacherous across the Republic of Ireland, where temperatures have plunged below freezing.
According to the Irish Electricity Supply Board (ESB), as of Monday morning, over 41,000 homes are still without power, with a warning issued stating it may take several days to fully restore service. Notably, the situation is compounded by similar reports from Uisce Eireann, which indicates as many residents find themselves without access to water as heavy snowfall has created supply challenges.
Heavy snow accumulation has disrupted access for repair crews, which has delayed restoration efforts for both utilities. "The poor weather conditions also resulted in school closure announcements, particularly across Counties Carlow and Kilkenny as well as Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary, and Cork," stated local news reports.
Bus Eireann has updated its customers on cancellations affecting various routes throughout the south of the country, with commuting becoming problematic as road conditions deteriorate. The bitterly cold conditions are set to continue, with forecasts predicting overnight temperatures could plummet to minus 8C.
National weather agency Met Eireann issued another Status Yellow warning covering the entire country, signaling continued risks of frost and ice. With the temperatures struggling to get above freezing, widespread road icy patches are expected, placing additional hurdles for residents trying to navigate their day-to-day functions.
Severe weather disruptions are not limited to Ireland; the UK is similarly affected, with the coldest night of the winter occurring, recording minus 13.3C at Loch Glascarnoch. Major disarray on transport networks across England has resulted from heavy snowfall, prompting immediate closures of major roadways and airport runways.
Manchester Airport experienced significant disruptions early Monday as runways were temporarily shut down due to heavy snow. Thankfully, they reopened shortly afterward, but flight cancellations and delays remain prevalent, with three departures already listed as canceled and many others delayed.
Road closures were reported on the M25 after a lorry collided with the central reservation, creating havoc for commuters. The M5 also faced closures due to extensive flooding exacerbated by the wintry weather. "A car is reported to have aquaplaned due to flooding," shared officials from National Highways, highlighting the hazards drivers face on these treacherous routes.
The railway network is seeing significant disruptions as well, with flooding forcing the closure of railway lines between Derby to both Nottingham and East Midlands Parkway, affecting multiple services. Great Western Railway has also announced reduced speeds on routes due to flooding concerns, with Transport for Wales service operations limited.
The Environment Agency has issued 166 flood warnings across England, raising alarming flags about impending flooding events, especially with the ground saturated and storms predicted. Warnings extend to Wales, where similar flood alerts proliferate.
Across Scotland, residents are likewise facing difficulties as the severe cold grip remains steady. Yellow warnings indicating potential freezing conditions and snow are placed over significant areas. Deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone commented, “The low pressure... will allow cold northerly flow to become established again for much of next week.”
With visitors returning to cities and towns after the holiday season, many are advised to monitor travel services closely before setting out. The council has urged people to remain vigilant during their commutes as the overlay of frosty ice will pose risks for pedestrians and drivers alike.
These severe weather conditions call for heightened awareness of travel safety, as both Ireland and the UK brace for more frigid days to come. With the potential for more snow and ice to emerge, collaborative efforts between utility companies and transportation agencies have become pivotal to effectively managing the repercussions on everyday life.