DONEGAL County Council workers will be out gritting roads from 4 pm this afternoon (Tuesday) with yellow snow and orange wind warnings in operation for the county.

 

Storm Fionn is expected to sweep across the county this evening bringing very strong westerly winds to Atlantic coastal counties with mean wind speeds of 65 to 80 km/h and gusts of up to 120 km/h, strongest near coasts with a risk of flooding. This warning is in place until 9 am tomorrow warning.

 

The routes the council grit can be seen in the adjoining map which has been agreed by councillors in their annual review. On the council website weather forecasts for the next 24 hours in each triangle can be viewed.

 

With the county in an icy grip since early this morning the snow and low temperatures look set to continue with strong winds creating a huge wind chill factor. What measured at -3 on Errigal actually felt like -10 because of the wind-chill yesterday. 

 

According to Met Eireann at 13.00, for the rest of today it will be  cold and blustery. There will be widespread wintry showers, some heavy and with thunder too. 

 

Accumulations of snow are likely, especially over high ground. Strong to gale force westerly winds will be blustery, especially along the Atlantic Seaboard. Top temperatures just 1 to 3 degrees.

 

Tonight wintry showers will be widespread at first, becoming less frequent as the night progresses. Lowest temperatures between -1 and +2 degrees in fresh to strong westerly winds, very strong and blustery on western coasts.

 

Tomorrow will bring scattered showers, a few wintry during the morning.  Winds will moderate for a time, however there is a risk they will increase again in the evening, especially in the west where they could reach gale or strong gale force. 

 

Persistent rain will develop in the evening. It will be less cold with afternoon temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.