ACCS Information Note: Status Orange & Yellow Weather Warnings
The Secretary,
Board of Management,
each Community and Comprehensive School.
Members of the Executive of ACCS.
Dear Secretary,
ACCS wishes to bring to the attention of schools the severe weather conditions which are prevalent in some areas today and which may impact schools in those areas from reopening tomorrow, Monday January 6. A decision on whether to remain closed or to delay reopening times will be a matter for individual school management boards around the country based on local weather conditions.
Met Eireann has issued a status orange and yellow warnings in place countrywide.
Status Orange - Rain/Snow warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow with significant accumulations expected.
Impacts:
• Very difficult travelling conditions
• Poor visibility
• Travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus)
• Difficult conditions underfoot
• Animal welfare issues
Valid: 17:00 Saturday 04/01/2025 to 17:00 Sunday 05/01/2025
Issued: 08:15 Saturday 04/01/2025
Updated: 08:55 Sunday 05/01/2025
Status Orange - Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Significant snowfall accumulations expected.
Impacts:
• Very difficult travelling conditions
• Poor visibility
• Travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus)
• Difficult conditions underfoot
• Animal welfare issues
Valid: 17:00 Saturday 04/01/2025 to 17:00 Sunday 05/01/2025
Issued: 16:35 Friday 03/01/2025
Updated: 08:55 Sunday 05/01/2025
Status Yellow - Snow/Ice warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Wexford, Connacht
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Falls of sleet and snow with snowfall accumulations expected.
Potential Impacts:
• Hazardous travelling conditions
• Poor visibility
• Travel disruption
Valid: 08:55 Sunday 05/01/2025 to 17:00 Sunday 05/01/2025
Issued: 08:55 Sunday 05/01/2025
Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Very cold nights with widespread frost and ice. Temperatures struggling to get above freezing during the day.
Potential Impacts:
• Hazardous travelling conditions
• Icy patches
• Travel disruption
Valid: 17:00 Sunday 05/01/2025 to 12:00 Thursday 09/01/2025
Issued: 14:24 Saturday 04/01/2025
Updated: 08:55 Sunday 05/01/2025
The Department of Education wishes to remind all schools of the useful advice contained in the Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign.
The ‘Be Winter Ready’ website and 2024-2025 campaign booklet includes advice for schools on dealing with issues related to weather conditions, including colour-coded warnings and health and safety and direct links to relevant circulars.
Schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings should monitor weather forecasts in order to be prepared for any severe weather, which may affect their setting.
During periods of severe weather, settings should assess the situation using the guidance available in ‘Be Winter Ready’.
The advice can be accessed online at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e1d49a-schools-and-severe-weather-be-winter-ready/
Settings should be prepared, keep themselves informed and remain vigilant.
Areas for consideration include maintenance of premises and utilities, salting and gritting and transport to and from school and having regard to local conditions and the health and safety of students and staff.
If there are further updates based on changing weather conditions, we will email them to schools as soon as possible.
ACCS advise Principals to contact the Chairperson of the Board to confirm the school closure and subsequently notify staff, parents and students through the normal channels.
Paul Thornton,
Assistant General Secretary, ACCS