FREEZING temperatures are ahead on Shannonside this weekend, with Met Éireann predicting significant snowfall across this Saturday evening and well into Sunday.
The weather service has issued a Status Orange snow and ice warning for all of Limerick, including Tipperary, Clare, Wicklow, Kilkenny, and Carlow coming into effect from 5pm this Saturday evening and lasting until 5pm on Sunday.
A Status Yellow rain and snow warning will be in effect for the rest of the country.
According to Met Éireann, a Status Orange weather warming can include “infrequent and dangerous weather conditions which may post a threat to life and property”.
Snow and ice, according to the weather service under a Status Orange warning, can include accumulation of up to 10cm or more in a 24-hour period, as well as dense or freezing fog, leading to treacherous travel conditions.
The weather service has warned caution across the board on Shannonside, with predictions poor visibility, difficult underfoot conditions, and animal welfare issues with “significant snowfall accumulations” a high possibility.
Along with the freezing weather comes a risk of damage to property, including burst pipes and interruptions to water supply at home, in businesses, and on farms.
Uisce Éireann has issued some advice to remind people to protect their water pipes ahead of the freezing weather, noting that “water expands by nearly 10 per cent as it freezes and turns into ice, which stops the flow of water through pipes and can even cause new pipes to split”.
The water utility issued a number of tips to the public to help avoid expensive repairs and a disrupted water supply at home, at work, or on the farm.
The Uisce Éireann tips include “checking outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises”.
“Alternatively, people may consider setting the heating to come on periodically at a lower temperature. This allows warm air to circulate and will help to prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather.”
Uisce Éireann spokesperson Margaret Attridge said that “with temperatures dipping below zero, it is very important to continue the regular maintenance of your property, protect outside taps and farm troughs, and check empty premises”.
“It also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your own internal water system and particularly how to turn off your supply at the stopcock so that you can protect your property in the event of a burst pipe.”
She also urged people during the cold snap to conserve water and not leave taps running as “this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on your local water supply … and can cause other problems such as frozen drains”.
Emergency help is available from Uisce Éireann 24/6 on 1800 278 278. Free text alerts on supply interruptions can also be signed up to on water.ie.
