Met Éireann snow weather forecast warning for Tipperary

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to prepare for cold weather conditions after Met Éireann issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for Monday and Tuesday.

Wintery showers of hail, sleet and snow are expected.

With overnight temperatures expected around zero or below over the coming nights, there is also a significant risk of icy patches, which will make road use hazardous. Snowfall accumulations are expected to affect the west and north of the country, particularly on higher ground, but snow is possible at lower levels into Tuesday.

• Clear windows and mirrors before you set out, use a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.
• Remove all snow from your vehicle before commencing your journey. Snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. It can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver.
• In snow and icy conditions slow down, use all controls delicately and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Avoid over steering and harsh braking and harsh acceleration. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.
• In snow or sleet conditions, visibility will be reduced. Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front (Target Fixing). This can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely. In heavy snow, use your fog lights, turn off your radio and open your window a fraction, so you can hear other traffic, especially at junctions.
• Use dipped headlights at all times, and fog lights in heavy snow to ensure you are seen by other motorists (but don’t forget to turn them off afterwards).
• Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and allow extra space when overtaking them.
• Drivers of high-sided vehicles like trucks and buses are particularly at risk from both the dangers posed by ice and snow but also from the high winds associated with strong winds.
• Drivers need to be on guard to the potential danger posed by hailstones. If you encounter hail stones reduce your speed, without breaking if possible. Warn other drivers by using your hazard warning lights. Driving slowly in a high gear will help your tyres maintain grip even as your tyres move over the compacted pellets of ice. Accelerate and brake very gently, and drive particularly slowly on bends where loss of control is more likely. Avoiding sudden actions.