It’s a blizzard out there.

A status orange snow-ice warning remains in place for Cork, Wexford, Waterford, Carlow and Laois this morning, with a red warning issued by Met Éireann for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath.

And the outlook is that the ‘beast from the east’ is here to stay until the weekend.

Met Eireann reports:

‘Heavy overnight snowfall has led to accumulations of snow between 5 and 10cm. Snow showers will continue to occur during today and again tonight with further accumulations. Total snowfall up to midday Thursday may reach 25cm.’

‘Air and ground temperatures will be five to 10 degrees below normal, with significant wind chill and penetrating severe frosts. Snow showers, mainly affecting eastern areas on Tuesday, will progressively become more widespread and heavier through midweek. A spell of persistent and heavy snow is expected to extend from the south late Thursday and Thursday night, with significant and disruptive accumulations.’

The #BeastFromTheEast is pretty amazing, so far anyway #Crosshaven pic.twitter.com/u6VYxfYmQk

— Joleen Cronin (@joleencronin) February 28, 2018

Scattered heavy snow showers will continue in Cork today, tonight, and tomorrow.

Latest Warnings from Met Éireannhttps://t.co/X6NncUghZ9
Further warnings for Thursday & Friday will be issued by Met Éireann later this morning. pic.twitter.com/pbeK6MJXde

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2018

Many schools throughout the city and county have chosen to remain closed.

Minister for Education Richard Bruton said: “Decisions on school closures will be made locally by each school individually depending on the circumstances in their area, this includes schools in the red areas. We will continue to monitor the situation and update further throughout the day.”

Cork Simon Community has put emergency measures in place to protect the homeless, adding 20 extra beds to their Winter Night Shelter and keeping their Day Centre open 24 hours a day until at least Friday afternoon.

Driving tests have been cancelled in Cork, but if you have a test scheduled in the coming days, you can check the website here to find out if it will be going ahead.

Cyclist just came off his bike, cars sliding #BarrackSt #Cork @RTE news pic.twitter.com/X1MgJo72dt

— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) February 28, 2018

Cork Airport has now suspended all operations until midday due to snow so check with your airline for further information.

Iarnród Éireann reports that all trains are running as normal for the time being, but there are major disruptions to the Bus Eireann schedule so check your route before leaving the house here.

Crashes and buses stuck in Maryborough Woods, Douglas. @CorkSafetyAlert @CorkHarbourWX #StormEmma #BeastFromTheEast @Buseireann pic.twitter.com/bzyyo33WQc

— Alan Barry (@Alanpbarry) February 28, 2018

Update to follow…