Possible disruption as yellow snow and ice warning in place

A photograph of a winter landscape taken at the Sperrins on 20 November 2024. Snow and frost can be seen on the ground. A large hill also topped with snow is to the left of frame. A building can be seen among leafless trees below the hill. The sky is grey and cloudy and covers much of the frame. Three wind turbines can be seen faintly in the background. Rachel Cassidy

A wintry landscape in the Sperrins in November 2024

Barra Best and Cee DalyBBC News NI weather presenters

A weather warning for snow and ice has been issued across Northern Ireland as strong northerly winds bring arctic air across the UK and Ireland.

Temperatures have dropped close to freezing and there are several showers across Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning falling as a mix of rain, sleet and snow.

There is some lying snow on the mountain roads in the northwest, mainly the Glenshane Pass and the Coleraine Mountain Road.

The Met Office alert began at midnight and will last until noon on Wednesday, with the organisation warning that commuters travelling over higher routes could face disruption.

Snow showers will fall elsewhere but any settling snow will mostly be reserved for the higher ground.

Wintry showers will continue on and off today with sunny gaps in between.

How cold will it get?

Ice is also likely on untreated surfaces with overnight temperatures falling to freezing and below quite widely.

The Met Office has also warned that hail and lightning will be additional hazards.

An aerial satellite weather map of Ireland showing temperatures at 05:00 GMT on Wednesday. Several towns and villages have been highlighted by name. Omagh and Jonesborough both have the lowest temperatures at 0.

The weather warning for snow and ice is to last until noon on Wednesday

The arctic air will bring temperatures down, well below average, both by day and by night in the coming days.

Highs between 3-6C are forecast on Wednesday and Thursday with the wind chill making it feel closer to freezing.

A wind map of the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe. It is centred on the Atlantic Ocean and shows cold artic air highlighted blue making its way down over the UK and Ireland. Warmer air is highlighted elsewhere in Orange.

Sub-zero temperatures are expected on Wednesday and Thursday

The average day time high at this time of year is closer to 10C.

Sub-zero temperatures are also forecast for Wednesday and Thursday night, leading to frost and a further risk of some icy patches.

The snow level will drop slightly Wednesday night leading to more sleet and snow showers away from the coast (rather than rain) combined with freezing temperatures.

There may be some patches of snow at lower levels overnight and early on Thursday.

Another weather warning is likely to be issued later on Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to rise a few degrees closer to average over the coming weekend.

Met Éireann issues snow warning

A warning for snow and ice has also been issued for five counties in the Republic of Ireland from 00:00 local time on Wednesday.

The Met Éireann alert warns of hail, sleet, and snow with modest accumulations in places, especially over high ground.

The warning for Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo lasts until noon on Thursday.

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