There will be no Dublin Bus services tomorrow and there will also be no Bus Éireann services in Leinster and Munster tomorrow and Friday due to severe weather conditions.
It comes after overnight snow falls of up to 16cm in some parts of the east.
Iarnród Éireann will stop services nationally from 2pm tomorrow, and there will be limited Luas and DART services in Dublin.
Met Éireann has issued a Red weather alert, which is in place until 12pm tomorrow.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Defence Forces are available to be deployed to help out during the snow storm on the request of local authorities.
Speaking in the Dáil, he said that safety of people must come first, and local authority workers and soldiers will not be sent out in blizzards to move snow as their safety is paramount.
The situation in relation to transport generally will be reviewed at 12pm on Friday.
Gardaí are advising motorists and all road users to use caution while travelling.
Many schools and colleges have closed and all schools in Munster and Leinster will be closed tomorrow and Friday.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton has stated that "decisions on school closures will be made locally by each school individually".
The Department of Education has instructed all schools in "Red alert"& areas to remain closed for the rest of the week.
In a statement it said that given "the disruption to transport and the safety risks arising, most particularly in relation to the ability to get home safely before blizzard like conditions hit Munster and Leinster, all schools, third level institutions, colleges and centres of further education in red areas will be closed tomorrow and Friday."
HSE services affected by weather conditions
The Health Service Executive has said that at a local and national level, its services are being impacted due to the severity of the weather conditions.
They advise that if you have a hospital, GP or health centre appointment today please contact the facility to ensure it is still taking place.
Some outpatient clinics, elective and routine procedures scheduled for today in the three children's hospitals in Dublin have been cancelled due to the weather.
The hospitals affected are Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Temple Street Children's University Hospital and the National Children's Hospital at Tallaght Hospital.
The three hospitals have also decided to cancel planned admissions and outpatient appointments for Thursday and Friday.
Many hospitals in the Red Alert areas have done likewise today.
The Children's Hospital Group has advised that if patients and parents present to the three hospitals today they will be seen.
All appointments cancelled during the period will be rescheduled as a priority and patients will be advised of their new appointment directly by their relevant hospital.
The three children's hospital are operating and their emergency departments are open and the group has reassured patients that those who attend the EDs will be seen.
The hospital group said that clinical directors and hospital management in the three children's hospitals are working together to ensure they continue to do everything possible to maintain all essential services during this period.
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is has cancelled routine electives and outpatient appointments for the next two days.
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group incorporates the Midland Regional Hospitals at Tullamore, Portlaoise and Naas, Tallaght Hospital, St James's Hospital, St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network and the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.
St Vincent's University Hospital and St Vincent's Private Hospital have cancelled a number of planned operations and clinics.
They say the patients affected will be rescheduled as a matter of priority in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is advising childcare services that local decisions should be taken based on the weather status in their part of the country.
Due to the weather conditions Waterford over the coming days and in the interest of patient and staff safety, Whitfield Clinic is cancelling all surgical procedures, consultant clinics and radiology appointments from now until Sunday night.
Blood Transfusion Service closes number of clinics
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has said it has closed a number of blood donation clinics that have been badly affected by the adverse weather conditions, for the safety of donors and staff.
Clinics in Dublin in Stillorgan and D'Olier Street and Tinahely, Co Wicklow and Cavan town will be closed today.
Clinics in St Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, Donegal town, Carlow town, Caherdavin, Co Limerick and Ballinrobe, Co Mayo will proceed as planned.
Meanwhile, all letter and parcel services within the Red Alert Zone counties have been suspended until further notice.
Severe weather likely to cause significant flight disruptions
The Commission for Aviation Regulation has advised that passengers scheduled to fly into or out of Irish airports may experience some disruption as a result of projected severe weather conditions due to snow and/or ice.
Commissioner Cathy Mannion has said that it is important for passengers to be aware of their rights in such circumstances.
"Passengers should check with their airline as regards the status of their flight before travelling to the airport for their own peace of mind.
"However, if your flight is delayed or cancelled then you have a number of options depending on the circumstances.
"We want all passengers to be aware of this as it may help to alleviate some of the stress and disruption that such delays can cause."
- Passengers encouraged to visit www.flightrights.ie for full details of their entitlements
- Re-routing or refund should be offered if a flight is cancelled
- Meals, accommodation, transport and access to phone calls may apply in case of longer delays
East:
The Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin had advised churches to remain closed including for mass while the red alert remains in place. However the final decision remains with the local priest or rector.
A number of confirmation ceremonies due to be held in Dublin have been called off because of the weather.
It is understood that confirmation ceremonies that had been due today, tomorrow or Friday are being rescheduled for next week.
It comes as snow showers and severe frost have affected all eastern counties.
All roads in Fingal are currently open to traffic but conditions are poor and drivers are advised to exercise caution and reduce speed.
In a statement, Fingal County Council said it is focusing on the roads designated as Priority 1 and Priority 2.
These roads were salted and ploughed at 4am today. When the crews returned to their depots, the trucks were reloaded with salt and sent out again at 8am, the council has said.
All public parks in Fingal have been closed until further notice due to the inclement weather.
The Estuary Recycling Centre in Swords and the Recycling Centre in Coolmine have also been closed until further notice. All other council facilities remain open for business at this time.
University College Dublin will not open today, and all Dublin City University campuses are closed. Maynooth University will also remain closed today.
Trinity College Dublin will remain open today. Staff and students may come into the college as usual if it is safe for them to do so.
Classes are cancelled and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will be closed today and tomorrow. A decision in relation to reopening will depend on the weather alert status.
Court houses in Dublin and other Red Alert counties will not be opening today. Counties with Red Alerts court facilities will not open Thursday or Friday also.
N11 lie https://t.co/SGGJ1dKUce
— Micheal Mac Suibhne (@MicMacSuibh) February 28, 2018
Significant snowfall has been reported in many parts of Co Wicklow.
The north and west of the county appear to have received the most of the snow, with the areas around Bray and west as far as Dunlavin worst hit.
There was significant traffic disruption reported on the M11 from Newtownmountkennedy through to the M50 this morning.
In Arklow, Kilcarra Rd (R747) from Arklow to Kilcarra is impassable due to very icy conditions and motorists are advised to avoid this route for the foreseeable future.
The Old Military Rd (R115) is closed until further notice from the View Point to the Sally Gap.
The latest weather news from Wicklow. #sneachta pic.twitter.com/LbZd2HWi3B
— Will Goodbody (@willgoodbody) February 28, 2018
The N51 Navan/Slane Road is impassable due to traffic with three snow stranded articulated vehicles blocking the roadway. Motorists should be advised to avoid this area.
The planned works on the M7 Naas-Newbridge By-Pass upgrade has been postponed due to the extreme weather.
Gardaí in Co Kildare report that conditions are very poor around Athy due to heavy snowfall and ice on the roads. Extra care is also needed on the N78.
Louth County Council says its crews are continuing to grit and plough.
All routes were gritted and ploughed three times last night and early this morning with another drive currently under way.
Work crews are also working on the roads and footpaths in the town centres of Ardee, Dundalk and Drogheda.
Gardaí in Dundalk say conditions in the town remain very slippy with slush on some roads and compacted snow on others.
Snowfall in the last 40 minutes has added to the difficulties for drivers and pedestrians and the N51 between Navan and Slane has reopened.
County councils in Meath, Louth and Cavan are continuing to deploy snowploughs and gritters on local roads.
Meath County Council have also said public offices and facilities will remain closed until the weekend.
Due to the ongoing Status Red weather warning, Matthews.ie have suspended all routes tomorrow.
The coach company operates 133 services a day between the north east and Dublin. The company will review the situation tomorrow and will announce by 6pm if they will operate on Friday.
Passengers will be kept updated through the Matthews.ie Facebook page.
Southeast:
RTÉ Southeast Correspondent Damien Tiernan is reporting that main roads across Wexford are passable but the secondary roads across the county are snow covered and icy - places like Bunclody and more rural areas worst affected.
All exams and lectures in Carlow IT have been postponed.
— Damien Tiernan (@damienrte) February 28, 2018
A number of confirmation ceremonies due to take place over the next few days in Carlow town and County have been postponed due to the weather.
In Co Carlow, which has experienced significant amounts of snowfall since yesterday, there are a number of difficult areas in particular the hill through Tullow town on the N81 also the Main Street in Borris and the Royal Oak junction with the R448.
Rural roads in many parts of south Wexford are very bad R733 from Nolans Kiln to Arthurstown and Campile area are reportedly very bad.
Wexford Bus has said all services are currently operating although they expect there may be some delays.
Intending passengers travelling to and from Wexford are encouraged to travel today and to make their journey as early as possible.
The company said it will endeavour to operate services throughout today and tomorrow as long as weather and road conditions allow it to operate safely.
Waterford Institute of Technology has announced it is closed today.
Update WIT Carriganore noon today pic.twitter.com/MVglcu8tOs
— Damien Tiernan (@damienrte) February 28, 2018
Carlow County Councils Inter Agency Severe Weather Co-Ordination Group was due to meet at 10am to co-ordinate the response to the weather event, they have asked the public to make a special effort to keep in contact with neighbours and relatives particularly those living alone.
There are no postal deliveries in Waterford but the mail centre remains open.
The N25 between Dungarvan and Ring is impassable and the Youghal bypass is reportedly treacherous.
Non-urgent procedures have been cancelled at University Hospital Waterford but radiotherapy services are still operating.
The main street in Tramore is very slippy and dangerous for pedestrians.
Suirway Bus services have cancelled their services with bus services between Waterford and Dunmore East, Passage East and Portlaw not operating due to poor road and weather conditions.
Gardaí across the city and county are advising motorists not to travel unless necessary and if they do so to take extreme caution.
A dedicated call centre has been established by Kilkenny County Council to deal with all emergency weather related calls - telephone 056 7794145.
Members of the public are advised only to travel where necessary and to check if roads are passable in advance of their journey and to take necessary precautions.
The Defence Forces in the southeast have received at least four requests from the HSE to help with patient transfers in Wexford and west Waterford and another to help clear very dangerous footpaths in Kilkenny city.
Another unit is helping with meals-on-wheels deliveries in isolated parts of Kilkenny.
Midlands:
There has been a significant deterioration in driving conditions on roads in the midlands tonight.
Gardaí say gusts of high winds have reduced visibility to less than 10 metres on sections of the M6 Dublin to Galway motorway.
A number of cars have pulled in onto the hard shoulder of the motorway near the town of Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath and gardaí say a small number of cars have gone off the road in bad visibility in Tullamore.
Gardaí say the wind has picked up and it is blowing the snow across from one side of the motorway to the other.
They are asking motorists to take great care and asking that pedestrians in town stay on the footpath only.
RTÉ's Midland Correspondent Ciaran Mullooly is reporting that Laois County Council said it has experienced more snow than expected with almost 30cm of snow in places. The council has been using ploughs, grit and salt to keep roads clear.
The Kinnitty to Mountrath Road between Offaly and Laois was closed as a precautionary measure ahead of the snowfall yesterday, as was the local L8001-1 road in Offaly.
Motorists are also advised that the R430 from Carlow town to Abbeyleix via Killeshin, The Swan and Spink is extremely
Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Declan Harvey said council staff were out this morning gritting the Kilbeggan Bridge in Tullamore as vehicles were unable to pass this morning.
Offaly County Council says all roads apart from the L8001-1 and Mountrath to Kinnitty remain open.
Some shops are closing in Tullamore and the Sacred Heart School is finishing its classes at 1pm.
Local authorities are providing updates on their social media pages. They are advising people to exercise caution and to check in on elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
Roads in Longford are treacherous, even roads that have been treated early this morning.
Longford County Council advise drivers to exercise caution while travelling on roads in the region this morning.
Roads around Mullingar are treacherous since early morning snowfalls deposited around 11cm of snow in the town and surrounding areas.
Despite gritting, the streets of the Mullingar town itself were proving a challenge to motorists, especially at the bridges over the Royal Canal, where some cars stalled, and were unable to gain enough traction to get up the slopes.
As in other towns, the supermarket shelves were cleared of bread and milk last night; vegetable supplies were also running low - and this morning, at least one café was offering ciabatta sandwiches because there was no sliced pan available.
Confirmation in Killashee for Clondra, Cloontagh and Killashee national schools due to take place on Saturday at 11am has been postponed due to the adverse weather and will now take place at a later date.
All schools in Co Longford will be closed tomorrow and Friday and Day Services at St Christopher's Services have closed this afternoon, while the Irish Farmers' Association AGM scheduled to take place in Slashers this evening has also been cancelled.
The Mall Complex in Longford town is also closing early today and the Department of Social Protection HQ has indicated that it will be closed on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Meanwhile, Longford County Council announced that back roads in the county will not be treated, but the local national and regional routes will be gritted in the coming hours.
South:
A tidal flood alert has been issued for low-lying areas of Cork City centre.
There is a significant risk of flooding from tomorrow until Monday next due to a combination of very high astronomical Spring tides, a tidal surge and strong southerly/south-easterly winds.
Cork City Council say there is a limited stock of gel-bag available but they won't be issuing sandbags.
These will be available for collection at the Council Depot on Anglesea Terrace from 9.30am to 1pm tomorrow.
At least 6cm of snow is reported to have fallen in Clonakilty in west Cork.
Cars heeding warning to travel slowly #Cork busy commuter route very quiet. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/YcD70lxdYg
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) February 28, 2018
RTÉ Southern Correspondent Paschal Sheehy is reporting that Cork city and county are presenting a tale of contrasts this morning.
The city and surrounding areas are blanketed in snow, with 3-4cm falling overnight.
Outlying parts of the north and west of the county are clear, however, with no snow and dry roads.
Driving conditions are dangerous in and around the city, particularly on hills, and on roads around Bandon, Clonakilty and Kinsale, Cobh, Midleton and Whitegate.
Cork City Council Severe weather assessment team meeting early this morning #StormEmma #BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/7sPO4Llyms
— corkcityfirebrigade (@CorkCityFire) February 28, 2018
Cork Institute of Technology and the National Maritime College of Ireland closed 1pm and will remain closed tomorrow.
A decision will be made at 2pm tomorrow regarding opening on Friday.
University College Cork is to close at 6pm with classes finishing at 3pm to allow students to travel home safely.
It will remain closed all day tomorrow.
University authorities are to review the weather situation tomorrow with staff and students being emailed by 2pm with arrangements for the following days.
Cork County's library services have been disrupted by the weather with eight of their 28 branches closed today.
Branches at Carrigaline, Cobh, Clonakilty, Glanmire, Midleton, Cape Clear, Passage West and Youghal are closed, and the West Cork Mobile Library is not operating.
Cork Airport suspended operations briefly to clear the runway before flights resumed.
However, a number of flights were cancelled and provisions are in place for people who have to stay in the airport overnight.
District and circuit court sittings in Cork city have been cancelled for the next two days.
The Circuit Court Criminal list has been adjourned until next Tuesday, 6 March hile the family list has been adjourned until 10 April next.
Tomorrow and Friday's district court sittings in Cork city have also been adjourned until next week as has tomorrow's sitting in Midleton.
Conditions in Kerry are dry and good.
A crash on the M8 motorway, southbound at junction five near Twomileborris in mid-Tipperary, caused delays during the morning and other roads were reported to be dangerous.
As in other parts of the country, gritting crews were operating from early morning but the priority was motorways an national primary roads, with secondary and minor roads not expected to be treated.
There were reports of icy conditions on roads between Cashel and Nenagh, and intermittent snow showers made visibility difficult in many areas.
Southwest:
Snow fell across Limerick city and parts of Co Limerick last night but traffic is moving and schools in general have remained open.
A status Red weather warning for heavy snow and ice has now been issued for Munster from 4pm tomorrow through to Friday morning.
Many schools across Limerick city are now responding to that warning and are advising students and parents that schools will remain closed Thursday and Friday.
Schools are already closed in parts of North Tipperary because of icy and dangerous road conditions.
Schools in Roscrea, Templemore, Thurles, Borrisoleigh, Toomevara, Killenaule and Coolderry are all closed.
Main access routes have been gritted by both Limerick and Clare Councils and are open.
The M18 between Limerick and Ennis is fine, as are the N20 and N21 routes, which are the main southbound routes from Limerick to west Limerick and to Co Cork are also open but traffic movement is slow.
Gardaí also say there are treacherous road conditions in parts of East Clare - the main street in Killaloe, located on a steep incline is closed, as is the secondary rural road between Sixmilebridge snd Clonlara.
There are also icy conditions in Corofin, Broadford and Ennistymon.
It has also been confirmed that the University of Limerick will be closed tomorrow and Friday.
The Taoiseach and some members of the Cabinet were due to visit there on Friday for a Q&A session with students and faculty staff about the National framework plan which has also now been cancelled.
Shannon Airport remains open but two inbound and outbound services to Edinburgh and Birmingham were cancelled today. The airport also handled 14 flight diversions from Dublin Airport starting from 4.20am.
Passengers are advised to monitor continuing updates on social media or contact the information desk on 061-712000
Two large gatherings of secondary students organised at the airport for tomorrow and Friday at the Limerick for Engineers showcase and the Young Innovators event expected to attract over 2,000 students have now been postponed because of concerns over so many people travelling.
Some sports events have been cancelled, the Munster schools senior cup match between Glenstall Abbey and Cresent College due to take place at Markets Field in Limerick has been cancelled after a pitch
inspection.
West:
Snow showers in parts of Mayo this afternoon have led to accumulations in places.
Castlebar was covered by a heavy fall earlier but gardaí say all roads are passable at present and conditions have improved somewhat in the last half hour.
Ireland West Airport continues to operate as normal but the area around the facility was also blanketed by snow this afternoon. One flight from London Gatwick was cancelled, with knock-on impact on the scheduled return flight from Knock at 3pm. No further flights are due into or out of the airport today.
Mayo County Council says it will have crews out this evening and tonight to grit all main routes around the county.
In Galway, there is some residual snow around Dunmore and other areas in the north east of the county.
Galway city has escaped the worst of the bad weather so far. While temperatures have not risen above zero degrees, it's dry and clear in the area this afternoon. However, the city's public bike rental scheme will not operate tomorrow or on Friday due to forecasted poor weather.
Gardaí in Ballinasloe say snow in the town and surrounding areas this afternoon has left some secondary routes dangerous. But the M6 close to the town and other national routes are all clear.
North:
A snow weather warning is in place in Northern Ireland until midnight on Saturday.
Some travel disruption has been reported in the region with Translink cancelling some bus services due to adverse weather conditions.
Police in Derry are advising that the Waterside bound carriageway of the Foyle Bridge is closed following a road traffic collision and drivers should seek an alternative route. The Cityside bound carriageway remains open.
Most of Ulster has not been affected overnight except for the north Donegal coast which has had snow showers drifting in on the cold north easterly winds.
Met Éireann is forecasting that in Ulster it will be bitterly cold today with scattered showers of snow and hail with a risk of isolated thunderstorms. Tonight there will be some further scattered snow showers in places.
Most roads are clear so far in west of county, heavier snow fell overnight in the northern part of county especially in Inishowen.
Read more:
Status Red alert issued for all counties ahead of blizzard
Useful contact information as winter storm hits
Live weather and travel updates
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