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Flight delays and 'treacherous' roads as snow hits NI

BBC A street covered in snow. Two cars covered in snow are parked on the pavement. In the distance there are houses dusted with snow.BBC
Snow has been falling in some areas, including Four Winds in Belfast, on Monday night

Travel warnings have been issued as snow continues to fall in parts of Northern Ireland.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has warned of "treacherous driving conditions" after some vehicles got stuck in the snow on Monday night.

Belfast International Airport said that there may be some delays to flights while snow is cleared from the airfield.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice which is in effect for NI until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Overnight temperatures have fallen below freezing in the past week, and are expected to do so again in the coming nights.

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Earlier on Monday, the PSNI advised motorists to avoid the Coleraine Mountain area of Limavady, County Londonderry, as heavy snowfall left a number of vehicles stuck and traffic unable to pass.

The area is now passable but the PSNI urged drivers to exercise caution while travelling in the area.

The Frosses Road, between Ballymena and Ballymoney, in County Antrim, was also closed for a time on Monday following a multiple-vehicle collision.

"Road conditions in the area are treacherous due to the current weather," the PSNI said.

"Please slow down, and increase your stopping distance from the car in front."

Flight delays

In a social media post on X on Monday evening, Belfast International Airport said: "Snow showers can be expected throughout this evening which may lead to some delays while snow is cleared from the airfield."

They advised passengers to continue to check the latest flight information on their website or contact their airline directly for updates.

BBC Weather Watcher Lizzie McCorkell Trees and grass covered in snow at Newbuildings BBC Weather Watcher Lizzie McCorkell
The scene at Newbuildings, County Londonderry, captured by Lizzie McCorkell

Cold weather payments have been triggered for eight postcode areas in Northern Ireland.

The £25 payment, external is made to people living in areas where the temperature is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

The cold weather payments are made automatically to those who get a qualifying benefit, and people living in these areas do not need to do anything to claim the money.

They will be paid to people living in the following postcodes in County Down:

  • BT24, 25, 26
  • BT30, 31, 32, 33, 34

The Met Office's yellow warning for Northern Ireland, which began at 15:00 GMT on Monday, warns of rain, sleet and snow showers which will lead to icy stretches in untreated areas.

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In the Republic of Ireland, thousands of customers are without water as snow and icy weather conditions continue to grip much of the country.

Irish national weather forecaster Met Éireann issued a fresh yellow warning for snow and ice on Monday afternoon for the entire country until midday on Tuesday.

BBC Weather Watcher Matt The Mournes covered in heavy snowBBC Weather Watcher Matt
The Mourne Mountains had a thick blanket of snow

The weather in Northern Ireland is to turn drier and brighter mid-week.

The Met Office said it was 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

Cyclists have also been urged 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.

BBC Weather Watcher Mel People walking a mountain path in Gortin, County Tyrone. Light snow is on the path and mountains.BBC Weather Watcher Mel
People walking in the Gortin Glens in County Tyrone

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.