Schools in seven counties will be closed on Friday due to Storm Eunice which will hit Ireland overnight – but schools in Galway may remain open, the Department of Education has said.
Schools will be closed on Friday in Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cork and Kerry tomorrow, as those counties have status red wind warnings or status orange snow warnings.
A status orange warning for wind has been issued for Galway from 3am on Friday morning until 11am, but a status orange warning for snow has not been issued for the county.
The entire country will be under a yellow warning for snow and wind however, from 1am on Friday morning until 3pm on Friday afternoon.
The storm is set to bring severe and damaging winds for a time reaching mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts up to 130 km/h.
Met Éireann says that there may be some coastal flooding, especially at high tide.
The forecasters said that this will be a “multi-hazard event” with heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions in parts, with treacherous driving conditions.
The storm is expected to impact most during school commuting hours and this will make journeys to school extremely hazardous in the morning.
The Department of Education says other counties may open schools, subject to local conditions and that schools should have regard to the guidance on winterready.ie on safe opening.
More to follow…
