Severe weather

Adverse weather like storms, snow and ice, heatwaves or high winds can cause widespread disruption and can be dangerous.

Local authorities co-ordinate the response to severe weather emergencies in Ireland. If a severe weather event will impact public safety at national level, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) is activated by the Office of Emergency Planning on request from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

If this happens, the NECG will issue regular updates to the public on gov.ie.

You can get information from the Be Winter Ready website on preparing for severe weather.

If extreme weather is expected in Ireland, Met Éireann will issue a ‘weather warning.’ Usually, these warnings are issued no more than 2.5 days ahead of the expected extreme weather. Weather advisories on possible hazards can be issued up to 1 week in advance.

Weather warnings are given a ‘status level’ corresponding to one of 3 colours (from least to most severe): yellow, orange, and red.

Status Yellow: Weather that does not pose a threat to the general population but is potentially dangerous at a localised level.

Status Orange: Infrequent and dangerous weather conditions that may pose a threat to life and property. You should prepare in an appropriate way depending on your location and activities.

Status Red: Rare and very dangerous weather conditions. Take action to protect yourself and your property, and follow instructions and advice given by authorities.

Met Éireann has a downloadable version of their severe weather chart (pdf) available that explains each status level.

Your local authority provides useful advice and emergency services during severe weather conditions, including providing weather updates, flood relief, evacuation of residents and animals, and clearing debris, snow, and ice from major routes.

They may also have a dedicated information helpline during severe weather conditions. Check your local authority’s website for more information.

Your employment contract or statement of terms might include a set procedure for what happens if a severe weather event disrupts your work.

If it doesn’t, the following applies:

If your workplace closes due to severe weather

Your employer may lay you off if they cannot provide you with work temporarily. If you are laid off, you may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance depending on your situation. If you are getting Working Family Payment, it may be affected if your working hours are reduced.

While laid off, you are still an employee of the company, and your contract of employment is still valid.

You do not build up annual leave during lay-off, but you can use any annual leave you earned before being laid off.

You can learn more about lay-offs.

If you can’t make it to work due to severe weather

Your employer does not have to pay you if you miss work because of extreme weather. You may be able to take annual leave, but this needs to be agreed with your employer.

Some employers offer flexible arrangements, like working from home or making up the lost hours. These options are at your employer’s discretion.

The Workplace Relations Commission has information about absence from work during extreme weather events.

If you have children in childcare, school or college, you should keep an eye out for information on closures during severe weather.

The decision to close educational settings and how that decision is made depends on:

• The weather warnings issued by Met Éireann (see ‘What are weather warnings?’ above)
• The school, college or childcare establishment itself
• National guidance issued by the Government and other response agencies (such as An Garda Síochána)

School and public transport services may also be affected (see ‘Public transport during severe weather’ below).

Early Learning and Childcare

Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) services such as nurseries, crèches, pre-schools and other settings decide individually whether they should close during extreme weather events.

This decision is based on:

• Whether the ELC service can guarantee the health and safety of children
• The conditions inside the location itself
• Whether parents and staff can safely reach the location
• Guidance from response agencies on the weather event

You can read more about ELC responses to extreme weather events on gov.ie.

Primary and post-primary schools

School management in each school decides whether the school should close during extreme weather events. This is because they are best placed to assess how local weather conditions will affect their school’s ability to open.

Schools will tell parents if they decide to close. This will usually be by text or email so keep an eye on your phone and emails for updates. You can also check your school’s website as they may post a notice there.

Schools can use discretionary days where they planned to close to make up for any time lost due to unexpected school closures. This can include reducing mid-term breaks, for example.

Higher Education Institutions

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) decide individually how to respond to extreme weather events.

HEIs will monitor updates to weather warnings. Any decision taken to respond to an extreme weather event is based on:

• The safety and wellbeing of people on campus
• Weather conditions in the area
• Availability of public transport
• Any guidance issued by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) or the Government

HEIs will tell students and staff about any decisions they make in response to an extreme weather event. Keep an eye on your phone and emails for updates. You can also check your HEI’s website as they may post a notice there.

During extreme weather, there could be public transport delays or disruptions. To check whether your journey might be impacted, visit Transport for Ireland (TFI) for live service updates.

Power outages

ESB Networks distribute electricity across Ireland. They send teams to areas experiencing power outages due to extreme weather conditions. If you are experiencing difficulties with your power supply, you can check the ESB website for information on power outages and other updates.

If you see a fallen electricity wire, do not approach or touch it. Call the ESB Networks emergency service immediately at 1800 372 999 (+353 21 2382410). You can also call 999 or 112.

Water outages

Uisce Éireann, previously known as Irish Water, is responsible for secure, safe, and sustainable water services in Ireland. If your water supply is interrupted, or you think there is a water leak in your area, you can report it to Uisce Éireann.

You can also check for updates on water supply issues, including outages or low pressure.

You can sign up for water service updates with Uisce Éireann’s Free Text Alert Service. The service will notify you if there are any:

• Planned water supply issues in your area
• Unplanned interruptions in your area
• Water quality events that last longer than 4 hours in your area

You can read more about water supply in Ireland.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advice for severe weather preparations including:

• Staying warm and heating your home
• Keeping extra supplies of essential medicine and long-lasting food items
• Phoning the hospital or clinic to check for any changes to your planned appointments

You can read more from the HSE about staying safe in severe weather.

Hospitals

If you have an upcoming hospital appointment, you can check this list from the HSE to see if there are disruptions at the hospital.

If you are visiting a patient, there may be restrictions in place. You can find visiting information for HSE hospitals.

Rough sleepers

Local authorities provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers when the weather is particularly cold, as part of their Cold Weather Initiative.

If you notice someone sleeping rough in Dublin, contact the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and they will send an outreach team to check in with them.

Emergency services

Emergency services continue to operate during severe weather conditions. You should keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys.

In an emergency dial 999 or 112.

Emergency services include:

• An Garda Síochána
• Ambulance services
• Fire services

If you suspect that an animal is unsafe or experiencing cruelty during severe weather conditions, you can contact:

• Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
  • By email: helpline@ispca.ie
  • By phone: 0818 515515 (in emergencies)
  • On the ISPCA website
• Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA)
  • By email: cruelty@dspca.ie
  • By phone: 01 4994700
  • On the DSPCA website
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine National Animal Welfare Helpline
  • By email: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
  • By phone: 01 607 2379

You can also ring your local Garda station in emergencies.