Live updates: How Thursday's wintery weather is impacting Donegal

Snow is lying in Donegal on a much wider basis today, Thursday, so here's the latest from around the county - please refresh the page for the latest and should you wish to pass any information on, you can do so on a Facebook thread of on email news@donegallive.ie

1:50pm - The Highlands Hotel in Glenties will close early today. They said: "Unfortunately we have had to make the decision to close The Hotel this evening at 4pm due to the declining and poor weather conditions. We have taken this decision for the safety of our customers and staff. Thank you for your understanding."

1pm - Donegal’s weather warning belatedly hits status orange

9:35am - The table quiz for the Nazareth House Residents Comfort Fund due to take place in An Grianan Hotel in Burt tonight has been postponed until Friday, January 10 at 9pm sharp.

9:20am - Glenties looking bright and white this morning, as shared by Brendan Bradas O'Donnell

9:15am - "Winter Wonderland this Morning. The Kettle is boiled and the Kitchen is open. Tea and Coffee; All Day Breakfast with Lunch till 5pm and off course Steak Night from 5pm till 9pm." 

9:13am - Kitchen will be closed today at Biddys O Barnes due to road conditions and the safety of staff.

"We hope you all stay safe out there - see you tomorrow," they say

9:10am - Bus Feda have said the 964 Donegal to Galway service is running today - but with delays. They were 60 minutes behind the published timetable this morning and will not cover Bunbeg or Derrybeg

9am - Here is what Lettermacaward looks like this morning

8:50am -Bríd Sweeney from Loughane has posted a warning: "A word of caution for everyone this morning: the area behind Errigal is absolutely treacherous due to the snow. It was attempted earlier today by a 4x4, and even then, it was a challenging journey. Without a vehicle equipped for such conditions, it would have been impossible. Please avoid this route at all costs for your safety and the safety of others. Stay safe, and plan your journeys carefully."

8:45am - "A lorry has slipped off the road on the Glenties side of Fintown village. The road is passable, but proceed carefully," Donegal county councillor Brian Carr has posted.

8:35am - Foyle Coaches Redcastle have said school buses are cancelled, with the Local Link Route Carn to Malin Head suspended this morning until further notice

8:30am - Hookd Coffee in Dungloe will not be opening today: "Sorry due to the current weather and road conditions we are currently closed"

8:26am - This is the scene in Letterkenny, at Solomons Manorm as shared on Facebook

8:25am Uisce Éireann have offered some advice to those who might have frozen pipes: "When the outside temperature drops below zero, unprotected pipes and dripping taps can freeze and crack. Visit our site for tips on locating and thawing a frozen pipe."

8:22 am - Mace - O'Donnell Fuels in Crolly, are offering free coffee to all Emergency Services all day today

8:20am - Due to adverse weather conditions, Saint Eunan's Letterkenny will be closed today, Thursday, January 9.  Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Letterkenny. Carndonagh Community School will open at 11am today. Buses have been contacted and students will be dropped off at 11am; Lurgybrack National School Letterkenny is closed, as is Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin Letterkenny; and Loreto Convent Letterkenny will have work posted on Google Classroom

8:15am - Donegal Civil Defence in association with Donegal County Council, are available to provide essential services, such as collecting / delivering groceries, fuel, medications, transport to medical appointments, delivering meals on wheels, etc to the vulnerable in the community during this period of inclement weather. If anyone is in need of assistance, please contact Donegal Civil Defence on 074 9153900

8am - Met Éireann's Thursday forecast for Donegal is: "Very cold this morning with widespread frost and ice lingering. Rather wet too with scattered wintry showers drifting over in a cold northerly breeze. Sunny spells will develop later as showers ease but staying bitterly cold with highs struggling at just 0 to 4 degrees.

"Very cold but mostly dry tonight with frost setting in early. Cloud will push in from the south later but it'll stay bitterly cold with lowest temperature of -7 to -2 degrees with the lowest temperatures occurring early in the night. Frost, ice and black ice patches expected.

"Cloudy with patchy light rain spreading from the southwest later tomorrow, Friday. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees with freshening easterly breezes."

7:45am - Due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions, the following schools and Further Education and Training (FET) Centres are closed today, Thursday 9 January: 
Schools:
1. Crana College, Buncrana
2. Coláiste Eoghain, Buncrana
3. Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny
4. Errigal College, Letterkenny
5. Finn Valley College, Stranorlar
6. Deele College Raphoe, Raphoe
7. Mulroy College, Milford
8. Abbey Vocational School - Page in use 2019 onwards, Donegal Town
9. Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick
10. Moville Community College
11. St Catherines Vocational School, Killybegs
FET Centres:
1. Youthreach Centre Buncrana
2. Youthreach Centre Glengad