Irish supermarkets report 'pandemic levels' of panic buying amid weather warnings

Met Eireann have issued orange and yellow snow and ice weather warnings for the country this weekend, prompting some people into panic buying at supermarkets.

According to Met Eireann potential impacts of the incoming snow are "hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption and localised flooding."

It has been reported that people have started panic buying as a result of these weather warnings, causing some supermarket shelves to empty quickly. 

On social media platform X, Carlow Weather sparked conversation on panic buying by posting pictures of empty shelves and commented "Ah lads."

One X user commented under the post, "That's quite sad if that is real" to which Carlow Weather replied "Oh it's real I just took those photos and shelves were full earlier today. Lots of reports of the same thing in other parts of the country."

READ NEXT: Track the snow as it heads towards Ireland amid severe weather warnings

Another X user shared a photo of more empty shelves under the same post and said "Lidl Rathfarnham at about 4pm!"

Sam Kingston on X said, "people have lost the run of themselves. Local Dunnes in Clane had all fruit/veg and bread shelves empty this afternoon."

Ah lads pic.twitter.com/vUhhRzqz9M

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 3, 2025

These scenes are similar to previous lockdown and weather events, however people on social media are saying it is very unnecessary this time around.

One X user has said "Winter weather happened in the middle of Winter after Christmas. In Ireland we think of panic buying, selfishness and greed. It shouldn't be like this."

Met Éireann has said "significant snowfall" is likely on Saturday afternoon and evening with temperatures likely to dip to -7 degrees early next week.

Their first weather warning is a Status Orange rain and snow warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. It says: "Heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow with significant accumulations expected."

It list impacts as "very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption delays to public transport likely (air, rail, bus), difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues."

The warning is valid from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

A similar Status Orange snow-ice warning has been issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary with Met Éireann warning of "significant snowfall accumulations expected." This warning too is valid from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

Met Éireann has also issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. It warns of "heavy rain transitioning to sleet and snow" and it's valid from 1pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

There is also a Status Yellow snow-ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and all of Connacht.

"Falls of sleet and snow with snowfall accumulations" are expected in these counties. This 24-hour warning also runs from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

The final warning from Met Éireann is a Status Yellow rain and snow warning for Wexford. Heavy rain there will transition to sleet and snow. It too is valid from 5pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday.

Met Éireann's full forecast for Saturday says: "A cold and frosty start with fog patches in the north. Cloud will thicken from the south during the morning with rain developing in southern coastal areas. Rain will extend northwards over the country, turning to sleet and snow through the afternoon and evening. Snow will begin to accumulate in places, especially across the Midlands and South. Highest afternoon temperatures generally ranging from 1 to 4 degrees in moderate southeast winds.

"Cold and breezy overnight with widespread falls of rain, sleet and snow. Significant accumulations of snow are expected in some areas, especially in the south Midlands. There will be more in the way of rain and sleet in eastern and southern coastal areas, but there will be some snowfall at times. Heavy rainfall in southern coastal areas may result in localised flooding. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with fresh east to northeast winds," they added.

They say it will be "cold and blustery on Sunday with spells of sleet and snow in many areas along with heavy rain in southern coastal areas. Significant accumulations of snow in some regions, especially across the Midlands and Southwest leading to hazardous travelling conditions.

"There is the chance of localised flooding in southern coastal parts. However, it will stay somewhat drier in the northwest. Highest temperatures generally ranging from 0 to 3 degrees in fresh and gusty northeast winds."

The forecast continues: "Sleet and snow will clear from the east of the country early on Sunday night to leave a very cold and icy night. It will become largely dry but a few wintry showers will follow into Atlantic coastal areas. Lowest temperatures ranging from -5 to zero degrees with moderate to fresh northwest breezes.

"Bitterly cold on Monday with widespread frost and lying snow. There'll be sunshine and scattered wintry showers, the wintry showers mainly confined to western and northern regions. Top temperatures generally ranging from zero to +3 degrees but staying below freezing over snow-fields. Clear spells and scattered sleet and snow showers on Monday night, the showers most frequent in the west and north. Widespread frost and ice with lowest temperatures of -5 to zero degrees in moderate west to northwest winds.

"Another very cold day on Tuesday with sunshine and just a few wintry showers in the west and north of the country. Frost and ice will linger in some areas all day with highest temperatures ranging from -1 to +4 degrees in moderate northwest winds. Bitterly cold on Tuesday night with severe frost as minimum temperatures range from -8 and -4 degrees in light and variable winds. Areas of freezing fog will develop in some areas leading to hazardous travelling conditions.

"Very cold on Wednesday with areas ice and freezing fog lingering in many areas throughout the day. Where the fog does clear there will be spells of sunshine. Maximum afternoon temperatures will generally range from -3 to zero degrees in mostly light westerly winds. A little less cold in the northwest of the country. Another bitterly cold night on Wednesday night with widespread frost and ice along with areas of freezing fog. Lowest temperatures of -7 to -2 degrees."

Meanwhile, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has predicted the amount of snow that could fall with 10-15cm possible in counties under an orange level warning. He said on areas of higher ground above 150 metres, accumulations could reach 40cm with snow drifts due to wind also on the cards.