Reports are flooding in that supermarket shelves across Ireland have been stripped of essentials like bread and milk as the country braces for a severe cold snap. After a mild Christmas, Ireland woke up to bitterly cold conditions today, with these freezing temperatures set to continue into next week.
Met Eireann has issued a stark warning for “significant” snowfall and temperatures plummeting to as low as -10C. Four weather warnings, including two Status Orange alerts – the second highest level – are in place for parts of Munster and south Leinster.
Social media is buzzing with images of empty supermarket shelves, suggesting panic buying is setting in. Alan O’Reilly, from the popular Carlow Weather account, posted photos of a Tesco store completely out of bread and milk, simply commenting: “Ah lads.”
He noted that the shelves had been fully stocked earlier in the day. Others responded to the weather expert’s post, claiming they had experienced similar issues tonight. One person shared a picture allegedly taken at Lidl Rathfarnham around 4pm showing no milk left, reports the Irish Mirror.
Another commented: “Same in New Ross. No bread in Tesco or Aldi , shelves half of them bare. All panic buying again.” A third added: “I went to the supermarket after work and the bread shelves were very similar there…….”
Another local echoed the food shock, sharing: “Same in Tullamore too. Just nipped in around half 5 to grab a few bits because we’ve been sick all week so no shopping was done, couldn’t believe it the amount of empty shelves..”
These scenes seem like an eerie throwback to 2018’s ‘Beast from the East’ which literally froze Ireland in its tracks. As we gear up for the weekend, Met Eireann has issued caution with the Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman advising: “A lot of people will be returning home from the festive holidays this weekend. We want people to take heed of the warnings and plan in advance as there will be some really tricky driving conditions out there for a near 24 hour period.”
She continued: “This rain, sleet and snow will be coupled with blustery east to northeast winds at times which could lead to some drifting snow for a time as well. There are likely to be travel disruptions too.
“The cold Arctic air will return on Sunday evening and stay with us right out into next week. It will be bitterly cold next week with some lying snow, widespread severe frost and ice and scattered wintry showers. There could be further complications with freezing fog at times, so we ask people to stay in contact with the weather forecasts and be prepared.”
Warnings advise: “Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow. Potential impacts include hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption, localised flooding.”
The warning reads: “Falls of sleet and snow with snowfall accumulations expected. Potential impacts include hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption.”
Another alert states: “Significant snowfall accumulations expected. Impacts include very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus), difficult conditions underfoot, animal welfare issues.”
A further notice warns: “Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow with significant accumulations expected. Impacts include very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus), difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues.”
The final statement cautions: “Sunday night and much of the coming week will be very cold. Severe frost and icy patches in many areas. Lying slow in some areas will be slow to clear. Wintry showers at times. Potential impacts include hazardous travelling conditions and travel and service disruption.”
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