Northern Ireland

North braced for more rainfall as flooding continues

Motorists struggle during recent flooding in Co Antrim
Motorists struggle during recent flooding in Co Antrim Motorists struggle during recent flooding in Co Antrim

DOZENS of roads remain closed last night as forecasters issued a fresh weather warning for more rain in the coming days.

More than 40 roads remained closed across the north as a result of flooding and fallen trees blown over during Storm Frank which battered Ireland and Britain earlier this wee

Several counties, including Fermanagh and Armagh, have suffered the worst of the recent flooding and road closures while icy conditions have also been a problem for some.

Temperatures took a dip on New Year's Eve with frost reported in many areas while a dusting of snow settled across parts of the Sperrin Mountain range.

However, the mini cold snap is expected to offer little respite after the Met Office warned that more rain is on the way this weekend.

A weather warning for counties Antrim and Down is expected to come into force later today and will remain valid until late on Sunday.

Met Office spokesman Greg Wolverson said on Friday night that the latest front to hit the north is feeding in from a southerly direction.

He said rainfall over the coming days will not be "quiet as heavy as we have had in recent days and weeks" but that it will be "quiet persistent".

He said the Met Office has been in contact with authorities in the north.

"We have been in contact here with the responders and hopefully a lot of the responders are ready for it," he said.

Forecasters say there will be few "clear cut dry spells" next week which will also see temperatures drop.

The recent run of wet weather has caused agricultural land in many areas to reach saturation level.

Acres of farmland around Lough Neagh, Ireland's largest lake, remain flooded as the lake's levels reach some of the highest in living memory.

Marinas and quays around the lough have been closed due to the danger posed by the rising water which in some cases has completely submerged walkways making access to boats impossible.