Could schools stay closed Monday amid Met Éireann snow and flood warnings?

Schools in some counties could stay closed on Monday amid Met Éireann weather warnings for bitterly cold and disruptive weather over the weekend.

The Arctic airmass has prompted Met Éireann to issue a series of weather warnings for hard frosts, rain, sleet and even snow in some areas over the coming days. 

Forecasters issued a Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning for all of Ireland on Thursday with the alert coming into place from 9pm on Friday until 10am on Saturday.

Met Éireann say many parts will see "temperatures falling between -1 and -3 degrees generally" as well as "sharp frost and icy conditions."

Potential impacts include hazardous travel conditions on road and underfoot and travel disruption. The weather situation is further complicated by saturated grounds and flooding risks in many areas are a largely wet and miserable start to the year. It may also snow in some areas.

IRELAND SNOW MAP - Where will it snow as Met Éireann issue new weather warnings?

Met Éireann has also issued a Status Yellow rain/snow warning for Cavan, Donegal, Connacht and Longford. It warns of "rain which will be heavy at times and turning to sleet or snow together with strengthening winds will lead to difficult travel conditions and poor visibility."

This warning is valid from 12pm on Saturday until midnight on Saturday night.

There is also a Status Yellow rain warning out for Cork and Kerry which warns of "rain with heavy falls [that] will lead to spot flooding and difficult travel conditions."

This warning is also valid for 12 hours from 12 noon on Saturday. A wider forecast predicts more rain and while snow will abate, some areas could be still impacted by disruptive flooding.

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This could leave the opening of schools in question in badly affected areas but there will not be a blanket decision for any county.

The Government has issued Be Winter Ready guidelines for schools, with decisions on closures left to the management of individual schools. That means there is a possibility that some schools will choose to close completely or early on Friday.

The Government advice says that 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.

"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."