Northern Ireland

Snow and ice weather warning in place until midnight

A Met Office warning for ice and snow is in place for all of Northern Ireland today.

Cockapoos Luna (left) and Daisy play in the snow during a walk at Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland
Cockapoos Luna (left) and Daisy play in the snow during a walk at Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)
By Rebecca Black, PA

Motorists are urged to take care on the roads as snow and ice make driving conditions dangerous across Northern Ireland.

A Met Office warning for ice and snow is in place for all of Northern Ireland today.

In Derry, Oakgrove Integrated College could not open this morning and students were advised to work from home.

Translink says heavy snowfall and hazardous driving conditions have resulted in the suspension of two bus services, the 402 Causeway Rambler service and 171 service (Ballycastle to Coleraine). There are also delays and disruption to bus services in the Magherafelt area.

Several centimetres of snow fell in Ballymena area overnight
Several centimetres of snow fell in Ballymena area overnight. Picture by Arthur Allison, Pacemaker Press. (SYSTEM)

Derry City and Strabane District Council said several of its services were also affected today. The council’s cemeteries at Ballyoan, Altnagelvin, Strabane and the City Cemetery in Derry had been closed for a period but are now open again, while household bin collections were also likely to be impacted.

Due to a two-vehicle collision, the Tullykevin Road near Greyabbey, outside of Newtownards, is temporarily closed.

The PSNI cautioned drivers about driving on untreated roads and recommended they Increase their braking distance.

Weather warnings for snow remain in place in the coming days as temperatures across Ireland plummet.

Yesterday, a number of schools were unable to open while there was disruption on some roads and public transport services. In the Republic the coldest temperature was recorded in Thomastown in Co Kilkenny where it dipped to -7.4C.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice covering most of Northern Ireland today.

It has forecast a very cold and frosty start with snow showers mainly in the north, while the outlook for tomorrow to Saturday is very cold and windy with snow showers.

A wintry scene just outside Limavady near Drumsurn in Londonderry. Freezing temperatures and snow will continue for much of Britain this week because of cold Arctic air before "potentially disruptive" stormy weather lands over the weekend. Issue date: Wednesday January 17, 2024. Picture by Owen Hunt, PA Wire
A wintry scene just outside Limavady near Drumsurn in Derry on Wednesday January 17, 2024. Picture by Owen Hunt, PA Wire (Owen Hunt/PA)
Photo taken with permission from social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by Owen Hunt , of a wintry scene just outside Limavady near Drumsurn in Londonderry. Freezing temperatures and snow will continue for much of Britain this week because of cold Arctic air before "potentially disruptive" stormy weather lands over the weekend. Issue date: Wednesday January 17, 2024. Picture by Owen Hunt, PA Wire
A wintry view in Derry, right outside Limavady, close to Drumsurn on January 17, 2024, Wednesday. Picture by Owen Hunt, PA Wire (Owen Hunt/PA)

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind across Northern Ireland on Sunday as well which will be in effect from 6am until 11.59pm.

The winds could potentially cause transport and utility service disruptions across the area over the course of Wednesday.

Snow on the grass on the Stormont Estate in Belfast
Snow on the grass on the Stormont Estate in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Eireann has forecast a cold Arctic air for the rest of the week, warning that widespread frost and ice may lead to hazardous travelling conditions, and temperatures as low as -5C are expected tonight.

Gulls stand on a frozen pond in Dublin's St. Stephen's Green as weather warnings for snow remain in place in the coming days as temperatures across Ireland plummet. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire
Gulls stand on a frozen pond in Dublin's St. Stephen's Green as weather warnings for snow remain in place in the coming days as temperatures across Ireland plummet. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire (Brian Lawless/PA)

The cold snap comes as public sector workers prepare to take part in what is expected to be one of the biggest strikes in recent history in Northern Ireland.

Tens of thousands of public sector workers will take part in the action on Thursday over pay. The gritting of roads is expected to be impacted.

The Department for Infrastructure has warned of significant disruption to services, including gritting and roads response.

Gritting will also be impacted by a week-long strike by members of the GMB and Unite unions until January 26.

The department has advised the public, where possible, to avoid travel on Thursday.

Emergency numbers :

Emergency services – 999

Flooding Incident Line – 0300 2000 100

Housing Executive – 03448 920 901

NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643

Northern Ireland Water Waterline – 03457 440 088