Will schools close? Principals give update amid snow threat and Met Éireann latest

Schools in some parts of the country could remain closed on Monday after heavy snowfall on Saturday night and Sunday morning. 

Schools across the country are due to reopen on Monday following the Christmas and New Year break but some students could be celebrating an extra day or two off amid a fresh cold spell and Met Éireann advisory.

Met Éireann widespread orange and yellow snow and ice warnings for most of the country end at 5pm on Sunday evening but lying snow could persist for days with Met Éireann suggesting temperatures will struggle to reach above 0 degrees before Thursday.

With power out for thousands of people across the southern half of the country in particular and roads and footpaths in precarious condition, schools could well take the decision to close.

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has indicated that boards of management at schools around the country will consider how roads are gritted in particular when making their decisions to open or not. They insist the safety of pupils, staff and parents are of utmost importance.

Schools can take decisions individually as per the Government's Be Winter Ready guidelines which say the "decision to close a school or ELC rests with the setting’s management authority taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially An Garda Síochána.

READ NEXT: Thousands without power as Ireland wakes up to blanket of snow amid grim weather update

"Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks and having consulted, as appropriate, with school transport operators.

"Some of the issues that settings take into account include conditions in the setting itself; capacity of the setting to ensure the health and safety of children and students; ability of parents, students, staff and school transport services to safely negotiate; local road conditions to reach the setting; guidance and direction from the principal response agencies."

Specifically on weather events, the advice says: "Schools and ELCs should monitor weather forecasts in order to be prepared for any severe weather, which may affect the setting. During periods of severe weather, settings should assess the situation using the above guidance. Settings should be prepared, keep themselves informed and remain vigilant."

The advice continues: "It should be borne in mind that there may also be weather events, which may be fast moving with little warning. For example, consider the case of Storm Darwin in February 2014 where Met Éireann had issued a Status Red alert for the Cork and Kerry regions; however, on that occasion the weather moved rapidly across the southern half of the country affecting a number of other counties.

"There may also be Status Orange weather warnings that may require action to be taken because of the particular local circumstances, for example, in areas prone to flooding or areas located on the coast. Any assessment taken by the setting for actions necessary should be guided by local knowledge and experience and by way of advice from the principal response agencies."

With reference to rare Status Red weather warnings, the circular says: "All weather warnings of Status Red will require some action on behalf of settings. Schools and ELCs need to assess the potential impact of such weather events taking account of past experiences and in light of advice on the current event from the principal response agencies in their area.

"A Status Red weather warning for heavy rain may be particularly relevant if the local area is prone to flooding. A Status Red warning related to ice or snow, which may compact, may cause local issues due to the location of the setting and/or the routes taken to reach the setting.

"Schools and ELCs should note in particular Status Red weather warnings where strong winds or storm conditions are forecasted. Due to the high degree of unpredictability as to the impact of the weather associated with such a Status Red warning on local conditions, settings should use the following guidance to assist them in making their assessment.

"Status Red weather warning for wind related conditions may be given in advance of a setting opening or it may arise during the day while a school or ELC is underway."

Meanwhile, Met Éireann has indicated that the weekend snow could sit in the worst-affected counties for days amid freezing temperatures. Night-time temperatures this week could fall as low as -10 degrees with the early hours of Wednesday morning looking like the coldest period.

Their commentary on the cold spell says: "An area of low-pressure bringing precipitation will track north-eastwards across the country Saturday afternoon, through Saturday night, clearing into the Irish sea during Sunday afternoon. As the mild moist air meets the cold Arctic air, the rain will turn to sleet and snow in many areas.  

"The cold weather will continue well into next week as a cold Arctic northerly airflow become established from Sunday night. Lying snow will persist in some areas with frosty and icy conditions countrywide. An Advisory has been issued countrywide for Monday (6th of January) through to Thursday (9th of January)."

Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman says: “A lot of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.

"This rain sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds which could lead to some drifting snow for as time as well.”

"Stay up to date with the forecast and also with your travel provider as there are likely to be travel disruptions too."

Liz continues: "The cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people pay attention to the weather forecasts and be prepared."

Met Éireann's full forecast for the week ahead predicts further flurries of snow and sleet too.

They say it will be "cold and blustery today [Sunday] with outbreaks of sleet and snow, along with heavy rain in southern coastal areas. Significant accumulations of snow will occur, mainly in parts of Munster and south Leinster leading to hazardous travelling conditions. There is a chance of localised flooding in the south. The northwest will turn drier through the day. Highest temperatures of just 0 to 4 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds.

"Sleet and snow will clear from the east of the country this evening [Sunday] to leave a very cold and icy night. It will become largely dry but wintry showers will follow into Atlantic coastal counties. Lowest temperatures ranging from -5 to zero degrees with moderate to fresh northwest breezes."

Met Éireann's latest forecast says Monday will be "bitterly cold with widespread frost and lying snow. There'll be sunshine and scattered wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow. Some thunder is possible too. Top temperatures generally ranging from zero to +5 degrees but staying below freezing over snow-fields.

The forecast continues: "Clear spells and scattered sleet and snow showers on Monday night, the showers most frequent in the west and north. Widespread frost and ice with lowest temperatures of -5 to zero degrees in moderate west to northwest winds.

"Another very cold day on Tuesday with sunshine and further scattered few wintry showers in the west and north of the country. Frost and ice will linger in some areas all day with highest temperatures ranging from 0 to +5 degrees in moderate northwest winds.

"Bitterly cold on Tuesday night with severe frost as minimum temperatures range from -8 to -3 degrees in light westerly or variable winds. Areas of freezing fog will develop in some areas leading to hazardous travelling conditions. Still a few wintry showers along the north coast.

"Very cold on Wednesday with areas of ice and freezing fog lingering in many areas throughout the day. Where the fog does clear there will be spells of sunshine. Maximum afternoon temperatures will generally range from -3 to +3 degrees in mostly light westerly winds. A little less cold in the northwest of the country. Further wintry showers in northern and northwestern coastal fringes later in the day.

"Another bitterly cold night on Wednesday night with widespread frost and ice along with areas of freezing fog. Some sleet and snow showers along northern and northwestern coastal areas. Lowest temperatures of -7 to -2 degrees.

"Any wintry showers in the north and northwest dying out on Thursday to give a mainly dry chilly day with some sunshine, However frost and freezing dog lingering in southern parts. Max -2 to +5, coldest in the south.

"Rain, sleet and snow spreading northeastwards on Thursday night and Friday, followed by a gradual improvement on temperatures over next weekend," the forecast concludes.