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Northern Ireland: Snow causes some travel disruption

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Northern Ireland: Snow causes some travel disruption

BBC Snow covers a lane, trees and a black fence. There is a car in the background covered in snow.BBC

Rural areas of Ballymena saw a dusting of snow on Friday morning

Freezing temperatures and snowfall has led to travel disruption in some parts of Northern Ireland.

Translink has warned of disruption to services on rural routes such as Ballymena, Ballyclare, Larne, Magherafelt, Cookstown, Newry and Lisburn.

Some services from Belfast, Ballygowan, Derryboy, Omagh and Newcastle did not run on Friday morning.

Police have warned motorists to reduce speed and “drive to suit the conditions” as many routes across the country are “hazardous”.

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As Storm Bert approaches this weekend, Northern Ireland is set to face further challenging conditions with heavy rain, snow and strong winds.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for all three elements, highlighting the risk of flooding, travel delays and power outages from late Friday night into Saturday.

Rain will move across Northern Ireland overnight on Friday, with snow expected to fall on high ground, especially in the north and west.

Snow accumulations of 5-10cm are possible above 150m, with up to 20cm on mountain tops.

Catriona Curry a wintry landscape of snow on a domestic garden with fields in the background. There is so much white snow in the photograph that it looks black and white even though it was taken in colourCatriona Curry

Snow blanketed the fields and the cherry tree in this part of rural County Down

By Saturday morning, snow will quickly melt to rain, with widespread rainfall totals of 20-30mm and up to 60mm on hills, increasing the risk of surface flooding.

A snow and rain warning lasts from midnight on Friday until 11:00 GMT on Sunday.

South-easterly winds will strengthen on Saturday, with gusts up to 60mph (100kmh/h) in many areas and up to 70mph (115km/h) along exposed coasts.

Those winds could cause travel delays, damage to trees, and cause some power outages.

Cara Coll A high wave rushing over the edge of a pier and water is pooling over the wall. The street is flooded with sea water.Cara Coll

Stormy Donaghadee in County Down taken in February

Coastal routes and sea fronts could be hit by large waves, while high-sided vehicles are advised to avoid exposed routes.

A wind warning will be in place from 05:00 GMT until 19:00 on Saturday.

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow wind and rain warning from Friday night into Saturday morning across the country.

A second Status Orange warning – the second highest level – has been issued for rain for several counties on Saturday morning.

Storm Bert will bring very strong south-easterly winds and widespread heavy rain across the country.

Disruption to travel as well as some localised flooding and fallen trees is expected.

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