Yellow warning for ice and snow in place across NI

Numerous weather alerts have been issued across the island of Ireland as the cold snap continues.

In Northern Ireland, a yellow ice and snow warning is in effect until 18:00 GMT on Sunday.

Between 5-10 cm of snow is possible over the Mournes, Sperrins and Antrim Hills, with lighter dustings elsewhere, the Met Office said.

The forecaster said there is likely to be disruption to transport and some infrastructure and ice will be an additional hazard, especially on untreated surfaces.

“Spells of rain, sleet and snow will develop from the south late Saturday before clearing through Sunday,” the forecaster added.

“Coastal areas will likely see rain, but inland and over higher ground, sleet and snow is more likely.”

Meanwhile, four Irish Cup fifth round ties have been postponed following pitch inspections on Saturday, and the GAA has said it will monitor the condition of playing surfaces over the weekend.

Katesbridge in County Down recorded the coldest temperature on the island of Ireland at -6C (21.2F) on Friday.

Naimh McElroy, from NI Water, said people should take “extra care” around waterways during the cold snap.

Reservoirs and loughs can “look frozen but if they freeze over it’s impossible to tell how thick the ice is,” she said.

She warned that “ice can be thin in places” and “there is a very real risk of someone drowning.”

“Dog owners also need to remember to keep four legged friends on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water,” she added.

In England and Wales, severe amber warnings for snow and ice are in place throughout the weekend with the Met Office warning that up to 30-40cm of snow could be possible in parts of Northern England.

The Republic of Ireland’s weather service Met Éireann has issued a number of alerts for snow and ice over the weekend, describing it as a “multi-weather hazard event”.

A status orange warning for snow and ice is in place in eight counties: Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary until 17:00 local time on Sunday, with an orange rain and snow alert affecting counties Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

Met Éireann has warned of very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, and disruption to public transport.

The rest of the counties are under a status yellow weather alert for snow and ice until 17:00 on Sunday.

The Met Office has said it is safer not to drive in icy conditions, but recommends a number of precautions that drivers should take it if is necessary:

• Looking well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed down
• Accelerating, braking, steering and changing gear as smoothly as possible to reduce the risk of a skid
• Using a higher gear may be more appropriate to help grip on packed ice
• Using a higher gear helps manage engine power making it easier to find traction

The service also urged cyclists to stick to main roads, which are more likely to have been treated, and for all road users to leave more time to complete their journey.

As the cold weather continues, NI Water has reminded the public to be aware of the risk of frozen pipes, as they pose a risk to properties and possessions.

Advice includes wrapping your pipes and water tanks up, fixing dripping taps, knowing how to turn off your property’s stop tap, checking your central heating boiler has been serviced and leaving the heating on low if you are going away.