DUBLIN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Many flights between Dublin and London's Heathrow airport were grounded on Thursday evening as a result of snow forecast to hit Ireland and much of Britain.
Aer Lingus and British Airways flights between Dublin and Heathrow were included in 80 departures and arrivals to Heathrow that were cancelled on Thursday evening, public broadcaster RTE reported.
RTE said local authorities were activating severe weather plans and defense forces personnel had been put on standby.
Met Eireann, the Irish national meteorological service, issued snow and ice warnings for most of the country.
It said very cold, wintry weather would continue until Friday night.
"Showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur, with moderate accumulations to lower levels inland, more significant amounts on high ground, where there's a risk of drifting and blizzard conditions at times," the national forecaster said.
It also warned there would be a risk of scattered thunderstorms during the two days.
