From quake to flake
Extreme caution is advised across Cork city and county tomorrow with a Met Éireann status orange alert for snow and rain remaining in effect until midday.
The national weather service is predicting heavy rain transitioning from sleet into snow for the first half of Thursday.
The warning comes into effect at midnight tonight having been upgraded from a yellow warning to an orange warning this morning.
Met Éireann has warned the public to expect very difficult travelling conditions including poor visibility, travel disruption, and disruption and delays to public transport (air, rail, and bus).
The service also warned of difficult conditions underfoot, animal welfare issues, and possible flooding.
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this morning in response to the alert.
The council confirmed its road treatment programme will continue treating Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes and will be extended to treat Priority 3 routes as resources allow.
Motorists are asked to avoid unnecessary journeys as driving conditions will be hazardous. If a journey must be undertaken, the council is asking motorists to please slow down, allow extra time, and be aware of other roads users, especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
For more information on road treatment routes visit corkcoco.ie.
Earthquake
A minor earthquake measuring 1.6 on the Richter Scale was detected on Tuesday morning northeast of Bandon.
The Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) said the quake happened at 5.50am with an epicentre located approximately 5km northeast of the town.
The INSN said the event occurred at very shallow depth, around 1km below the surface.
It has been reported that the event was felt by members of the public.
According to the INSN, felt earthquakes rarely occur in Cork. The previous felt earthquake from the region was a magnitude 2.2 quake in December 2013 near Courtmacsherry. Since instrumental recording began with the foundation of the INSN in 1977, the only other felt earthquake was a 2.1 magnitude near Midleton in November 1981.