Will schools close due to snow? Latest update amid Met Éireann snow warnings

Schools in some counties could close on Thursday if heavy snow makes it impossible or dangerous to open.

Met Éireann has issued a series of warnings with parts of Munster especially expected to see heavy snowfall overnight. Some predictions suggest more than 10cm of snow could fall in some places. 

Clare, Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Galway and Waterford will all be under a Status Orange snow and ice warning on Thursday while lesser warnings are in place for other counties in the southern half of the country.

Those counties could see "significant snow accumulations," while a Status Yellow low temperature warning will be in effect for the entire country until noon on Thursday.

This could leave the opening of schools in question but there will not be a blanket decision for the country or even in any one 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 on Thursday.

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.

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"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."