New weather warning issued across Northern Ireland

A new yellow weather warning has been issued across Northern Ireland.

The  Met Office warning for ice will be in effect from 5pm on Thursday until 10am on Friday with the public being advised to be wary of slippery conditions.

The last weather warning ended at midday today.

Speaking to The Irish News, Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said similar conditions are expected today and Friday.

TUV anger at BBCNI reporter’s support for All-Ireland finalists

DUP will not attend All-Ireland football final

With a yellow weather warning in place until midday today, he said there would be an "ongoing risk of ice making for tricky travelling conditions with disruption on roads and railways.

"You need to be wary of these on untreated roads and on pavements," he said.

"Gradually then, the risk of sleet and snow diminishes. Some areas will see isolated showers moving into western coastal areas this afternoon. It will remain cold.

"As we go into tomorrow, it will be a largely dry day for most of Northern Ireland."

Translink have been advising passengers of disruption to services. 

Six schools announced they are closed due to adverse weather conditions.

Temperatures plunged below minus 10C (14F) in parts of the UK overnight.

Drumnadrochit near Inverness in the Highlands hit minus 10.4C (13.28F) in the early hours of Thursday, making it the coldest recorded temperature of the year so far.

However, Mr Dixon said some "marginally milder weather" would move in from the west at the weekend.

"This brings some rain on Saturday morning as this weather moves eastwards. On Sunday, there will be some residual showers.

"Next week is looking like a period of some more settled weather with temperatures more around average."

While drivers and cyclists battled icy roads around Northern Ireland, pedestrians have found themselves also at risk of falls.

Images captured yesterday in west Belfast showed members of the public struggling to stay upright as they took their children to school and went about their business on the Grosvenor Road.

Some could be seen sliding on ice pavements while others used railings to try and negotiate their journey.

Many schools in Derry, Limavady and Strabane are closed today as snow and icy conditions continue for a second day in Northern Ireland. Police warned that driving conditions remain hazardous across Northern Ireland.

NI Road Policing and Safety said:  "If driving, motorists are reminded to proceed carefully and at lower speeds bearing in mind the impact of this weather on stopping distances and braking."

A yellow weather warning, issued by the Met Office, for snow and ice remains in place until noon.

In west Belfast two men had to be rescued from a van that overturned on Divis Road this morning.

Aaron Kelly, from Ballymurphy, who was in the area with his father, Sammy, taking photos in the snow, said he heard a "tumbling" as the van went off the road.

"Me and my dad ran over to help them," he said.

"Two fellas going to finish a job. They went into a ditch, on its roof. My dad opened the door, they were upside down.

"They were all good thank good. They were definitely shocked".

Mr Kelly advised motorists to "drive slow" as you "never know what way your brakes are going to react".

Raymond Barr, an independent councillor on Derry City and Strabane District Council, spoke to BBC Radio Foyle about his commute early this morning from Strabane to Derry.

"It is passable but dangerous in parts, but secondary roads are treacherous."