Ireland school closure ‘monitor the situation’ update & snowfall latest as Met Eireann in -6C ice blast weather warnings
Some schools have decided to remain closed tomorrow
IRELAND continuing to endure freezing temperatures, frost, ice and snow – with some schools choosing to stay shut tomorrow.
Weather bosses say that the -6C cold snap is set to develop from tonight and last until around Thursday.
According to Met Eireann, who have issued a number of yellow weather warnings, lingering rain, sleet and snow in southern areas is clearing, but icy conditions and light snow cover remain a risk in parts of the country.
And tonight is expected to be bitterly cold, with a widespread sharp to severe frost, ice, freezing mist and fog as temperatures drop to as low as -6C in places.
The Department of Education has said it is closely monitoring the situation and will act in line with guidance from the National Emergency Coordination Group.
The department has reminded schools that closure decisions rest with school management and they should stay up to date with weather warnings.
Schools have been advised to stay on the side of caution where safety is a concern and while conditions remain hazardous.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the department said: “The department will monitor the situation as it progresses and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group.
“The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) is the Government’s forum for coordinating the response to an emergency, including a severe weather alert.
“The NECG comprises all government departments, including the Department of Education and Youth, all principal response agencies (PRAs), and certain other bodies.
“This department engages regularly with the NECG in regard to preparedness for severe weather events.”
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And as students prepare to return to school tomorrow after the Christmas break, some schools in areas hit by snow have decided to keep their doors closed.
SOME SCHOOLS CLOSED
Glebe NS in Donegal Town said it will remain closed tomorrow due to the severe weather conditions.
Coláiste Cholmcille and Scoil Naomh Chaitriona both in Ballyshannon in Co Donegal also said they would stay closed due to the weather, as did St Catherine’s Vocational School in the south west of the county.
Moville Community College in Inishowen also said it would stay closed tomorrow, as did St Mary’s Primary School in Strabane.
Another school in Co Donegal, Mulroy college, has also made a statement saying they have decided to stay closed.
They said: “Due to adverse weather conditions Mulroy College will be CLOSED tomorrow, Monday, 5th January, 2026. We hope to reopen on Tuesday 6th.
“The decision has been made to prioritise the safety of our students and staff.
“Stay safe, everyone”.
Scattered wintry showers will continue overnight, particularly in western and northern areas, with poor visibility at times and a possibility of snow.
Monday will start very cold with frost, ice and patches of freezing fog slow to clear although most areas will see a dry and sunny day after a freezing start.
Daytime temperatures on Monday will struggle to rise, reaching just 1C to 6C, with wintry showers largely confined to northern and northwestern parts of the country.
Looking ahead, weather conditions are expected to turn more unsettled from Monday night as Atlantic systems bring rain, sleet and freezing temperatures.
Rain is forecast to move across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, with sleet possible on higher ground and colder conditions persisting longer in eastern areas.
And the current forecast for Thursday suggest rain in southern regions and showers further north with freezing temperatures.
Met Eireann’s Liz Walsh said: “So a bit of a smorgasbord of weather around the country at the moment.
“Starting in Munster, we have rain turning wintry as a clear southeast was this evening, that’s going to leave icy conditions and some coverings of snow in parts, especially at elevation, and those coverings will remain there tonight, as there won’t be any thaw overnight.
“So a mix of clear spells and scattered wintry showers in Ulster and North Connacht with small accumulations of snow there and then, mainly dry and cold elsewhere, with frost and icy patches setting in.
“It’ll be very cold tonight, with a widespread sharp to severe frost and icy stretches on untreated surfaces with scattered wintry showers will continue in the west and north, with small accumulations of snow and impaired visibility.”
SEVERAL WEATHER WARNINGS
And there are several weather warnings active across the country with conditions varying sharply from county to county.
A snow and ice warning remains in effect for Co Cork and Co Waterford until 8pm, with conditions turning increasingly hazardous tonight.
Another snow and ice warning covers Connacht along with Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth and is set to remain in place until 11am on Monday.
For the rest of the country, a low temperature and ice warning is active until Monday morning, with icy untreated surfaces expected to make hazardous travel conditions.
Any snow settling this evening is expected to remain overnight, as temperatures will stay well below freezing.
Ulster and north Connacht will see a mix of clear spells and scattered wintry showers, with small accumulations of snow possible at times.
Elsewhere, conditions will be mainly dry but very cold, with frost and icy patches becoming widespread as temperatures drop sharply.
Met Eireann’s Liz Walsh added: “There’s various snow, ice and low temperature ice warnings are in operation nationwide for this evening, tonight and early tomorrow.
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“We have a snow ice warning in operation for cork and Waterford at the moment, valid until 8pm another snow ice warning is an operation for Connacht, Donegal, Cavan Monaghan and Louth. That’s valid until 11am on Monday.
“We have a low temperature ice warning and operation for the rest of the country, with icy stretches on Untreated surfaces leading to hazardous traveling conditions that’s also valid until 11am on Monday.”
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And as students prepare to return to school tomorrow after the Christmas break, some schools in areas hit by snow have decided to keep their doors closed.
SOME SCHOOLS CLOSED
Glebe NS in Donegal Town said it will remain closed tomorrow due to the severe weather conditions.
Coláiste Cholmcille and Scoil Naomh Chaitriona both in Ballyshannon in Co Donegal also said they would stay closed due to the weather, as did St Catherine’s Vocational School in the south west of the county.
Moville Community College in Inishowen also said it would stay closed tomorrow, as did St Mary’s Primary School in Strabane.
Another school in Co Donegal, Mulroy college, has also made a statement saying they have decided to stay closed.
They said: “Due to adverse weather conditions Mulroy College will be CLOSED tomorrow, Monday, 5th January, 2026. We hope to reopen on Tuesday 6th.
“The decision has been made to prioritise the safety of our students and staff.
“Stay safe, everyone”.
Scattered wintry showers will continue overnight, particularly in western and northern areas, with poor visibility at times and a possibility of snow.
Monday will start very cold with frost, ice and patches of freezing fog slow to clear although most areas will see a dry and sunny day after a freezing start.
Daytime temperatures on Monday will struggle to rise, reaching just 1C to 6C, with wintry showers largely confined to northern and northwestern parts of the country.
Looking ahead, weather conditions are expected to turn more unsettled from Monday night as Atlantic systems bring rain, sleet and freezing temperatures.
Rain is forecast to move across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, with sleet possible on higher ground and colder conditions persisting longer in eastern areas.
And the current forecast for Thursday suggest rain in southern regions and showers further north with freezing temperatures.
Met Eireann’s Liz Walsh said: “So a bit of a smorgasbord of weather around the country at the moment.
“Starting in Munster, we have rain turning wintry as a clear southeast was this evening, that’s going to leave icy conditions and some coverings of snow in parts, especially at elevation, and those coverings will remain there tonight, as there won’t be any thaw overnight.
“So a mix of clear spells and scattered wintry showers in Ulster and North Connacht with small accumulations of snow there and then, mainly dry and cold elsewhere, with frost and icy patches setting in.
“It’ll be very cold tonight, with a widespread sharp to severe frost and icy stretches on untreated surfaces with scattered wintry showers will continue in the west and north, with small accumulations of snow and impaired visibility.”
SEVERAL WEATHER WARNINGS
And there are several weather warnings active across the country with conditions varying sharply from county to county.
A snow and ice warning remains in effect for Co Cork and Co Waterford until 8pm, with conditions turning increasingly hazardous tonight.
Another snow and ice warning covers Connacht along with Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth and is set to remain in place until 11am on Monday.
For the rest of the country, a low temperature and ice warning is active until Monday morning, with icy untreated surfaces expected to make hazardous travel conditions.
Any snow settling this evening is expected to remain overnight, as temperatures will stay well below freezing.
Ulster and north Connacht will see a mix of clear spells and scattered wintry showers, with small accumulations of snow possible at times.
Elsewhere, conditions will be mainly dry but very cold, with frost and icy patches becoming widespread as temperatures drop sharply.
Met Eireann’s Liz Walsh added: “There’s various snow, ice and low temperature ice warnings are in operation nationwide for this evening, tonight and early tomorrow.
“We have a snow ice warning in operation for cork and Waterford at the moment, valid until 8pm another snow ice warning is an operation for Connacht, Donegal, Cavan Monaghan and Louth. That’s valid until 11am on Monday.
“We have a low temperature ice warning and operation for the rest of the country, with icy stretches on Untreated surfaces leading to hazardous traveling conditions that’s also valid until 11am on Monday.”
