Halloween events cancelled or rescheduled due to wind warning

The Met Office yellow wind warning alert lasts from 13:00 GMT until 23:00 on Thursday

A number of Halloween events have been cancelled or rescheduled due to a yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland on Thursday.

The Met Office alert lasts from 13:00 GMT until 23:00 as the south to south-easterly winds strengthen through the afternoon and evening.

Gusts up to 50mph (80km/h) are expected widely, with up to 70mph (115km/h) forecast over higher ground and around exposed coastal areas, particularly towards the east coast.

Outbreaks of rain can also be expected on Thursday, becoming heavier at times later in the day.

What Halloween events have been cancelled or rescheduled?

A number of Halloween events have been cancelled or rescheduled due to a yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland on Thursday

• Halloweena in Ballymena at the People's Park on Thursday - cancelled

• The Halloween event at the Market Square in Dungannon - cancelled

• Awakening the Walled City Trail in Londonderry on Thursday - cancelled

• Bat Walk in the Diamond Jubilee Wood in Whitehead on Thursday - cancelled

• Fireworks at the Lakes in Craigavon - rescheduled from Thursday to Wednesday

• Halloween parade and fireworks at the Falls Park in Belfast - rescheduled from Thursday to Wednesday

• Fireworks display in Coleraine on Thursday - amalgamated with the low noise fireworks to one event on Wednesday in Ulster University. Low noise fireworks will be at 20:15 and traditional fireworks at 21:00

The inflatable monsters which are placed upon buildings in Belfast city centre will also be temporarily deflated until the wind passes.

Outbreaks of rain can also be expected on Thursday, becoming heavier at times later in the day

The Met Office has said a spell of heavy rain accompanied by strong, gusty winds could affect parts of Northern Ireland during Thursday evening.

The organisation has warned of possible disruption including travel delays and power outages, as well as large waves affecting coastal areas.

Warnings have also been issued in the Republic of Ireland with yellow alerts issues towards the south coast.

A number of inflatable monsters which are placed upon buildings in Belfast will be temporarily deflated for safety

Strong wind and heavy rain are expected to impact Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford on Thursday.

The Met Éireann alerts last from 11:00 on Thursday until later in the evening.

Halloween weather

Thousands of people are expected in Londonderry for Halloween on Friday for festivities like fireworks similar to these ones in 2022

While it will stay quite windy for Halloween on Friday, especially around the coasts, the winds are expected to ease from the peak on Thursday.

The east coast could continue to have gusts around 50mph (80km/h) during the day, while winds inland will be lighter.

Some rain is also expected on Friday especially towards the east coast but most places are due to have drier spells for Halloween festivities on Friday night.

BBC News NI will be capturing the Halloween festivities in Derry, with a dedicated onlive live page from 17:00 GMT on Friday.

A live stream of the parade and fireworks will be available to watch from 19:00 on Friday.