Who’d have thought something called Emma could cause such mass panic?
Supermarket shelves are being cleared; animals, children and washing alike are being brought indoors and there’s a distinctive Armageddon feel in the air.
But what does the incoming inclement weather mean for those of us who have to get on with our lives?
As temperatures dip, the east and south of the country look like they’ll be worst hit.
From tonight we can expect blizzard conditions, wind chill and severe frosts. It’s expected to be worst on Thursday and Friday.
For now, a Status Orange snow-ice warning is in place for Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Wicklow and Meath until 11am Wednesday.
A less severe Yellow snow-ice warning is in place for Kilkenny, Longford, Wexford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.
Met Éireann is ready to issue a Status Red weather warning in the next few days if it believes there’s a risk to life.
Roads
Driving conditions will be affected all over the country and the AA has advised motorists to be extremely careful.
“Allow plenty of extra time for any journey and to de-ice your car before you set off.
Don’t forget that stopping distances are ten times longer when driving on snow and ice. Slow down.”
Gritting has already started on priority routes across the country.
The government has several weeks worth of grit and salt on standby, Minister for Local Government Eoghan Murphy said on Morning Ireland.
Every effort will be made to keep roads open, he said, though regional roads might not be gritted.
Members of the Army and Air Corps have been briefed by the Office for Emergency Planning and are standing by to come to people’s assistance if needed over the coming days.
Buses
For now, all Bus Éireann passenger and school bus services are running as normal, though this is likely to change as the weather gets worse. No school buses will run in the event of a Status Red weather warning. See the latest here.
Dublin Bus services are also running but this will be subject to weather updates over the next few days – more here.
Luas
Passengers have been told to check services before travelling as they may be affected. Give yourself plenty of time for journeys and be wary that platforms could be slippery.
Travel updates will be issued here.
Trains
All trains are running for now though that’s subject to change along with the weather. Keep up to date on changes here.
Irish Rail has said that anyone with a booking for Wednesday, Thursday or Friday can cancel their booking prior to planned travel without charge or penalty – this includes Low Fare, Semi-Flex and Fully Flex tickets. Find refund information here.
