Travel disruption as first snowfall arrives in Midlands

The first snow of 2019 has arrived in the Midlands, and Met Eireann says further snowfall is likely in parts of the country tomorrow (Thursday). 

The icy conditions have caused travel delays locally, with some train services on the Galway to Dublin line delayed by up to 40 minutes this morning due to what Irish Rail said were "weather-related issues" at Woodlawn. 

At least seven schools in county Longford were forced to close because of the weather today, but to date we've received no reports of school closures in the Athlone area. 

The national forecaster has a yellow-level snow and ice warning in place all this week, up until noon on Saturday. 

It says a "wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow" will be accompanied by strong easterly winds tomorrow (Thursday).

"Significant" accumulations of snow could occur "on high ground, and with some accumulations to lower-levels at times," said Met Eireann. 

The popular Midlands Weather Channel page on Facebook said there continues to be potential for "a substantial threat of some heavy falls of snow across many parts of the Midlands, East, inland Munster and Connacht" tomorrow.

However, it added: "The situation does remain marginal, with temperatures hovering close to freezing or just above, so continued monitoring of the situation is required."

Ballymore and Boher parish shared this photo of the scene there this morning: 

Westmeath County Council has been sending its gritting trucks out in recent days and it said they would be deployed "as often as conditions require."

"Our key aim is to keep major routes safe and as free as possible of hazardous road conditions," said the local authority.

"In frosty conditions, slow down, and treat every road as though it’s frozen."