New ice warning as schools close and travel disrupted
The roads were covered in snow on Thursday in Tardree in County Antrim
- Published
A new yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of Northern Ireland with temperatures expected to once again fall well below freezing.
The newest ice alert for Northern Ireland came into force at 16:00 GMT on Thursday and runs until 10:00 on Friday.
A number of schools are closed on Friday due to weather conditions. A full list of school closures is available on BBC News NI's Facebook page.
The Met Office said temperatures would again drop below zero overnight and into Friday morning, leading to a risk of ice on untreated roads.
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It follows a sub-zero night where thermometers fell to -7C in Castlederg in County Tyrone, the lowest temperatures so far this winter for Northern Ireland.
In the Republic of Ireland, temperatures fell to -8C in Mullingar in County Westmeath.
These sheep were waiting to be fed in Tardree in County Antrim as the fields remained under snow
Northern Ireland Water has asked farmers to check their water supplies ahead of an expected thaw on Friday.
The utility company appealed to farmers to inspect all drinking troughs, sheds, yards, taps and outhouses which have a water supply and also check water meters for any high flows which will usually indicate that there is a leak or burst within the property.
NI Water have advised to immediately turn off any leaking supplies to avoid an excessive water bill.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust warned that slips, trips and falls are more likely in icy and snowy conditions, and so have asked people to stay mindful of their surroundings before venturing outdoors.
The trust advises steps that can help reduce the risk of falling, such as keeping your hands free to help stabilise yourself, wearing sturdy shoes with good grip, and avoiding going out during the early morning when frost is at its heaviest or late at night when it's dark.
Ballougry Primary School is one of a number closed on Thursday in the north west
Some schools have been closed on Thursday and police have advised drivers to reduce speed as the cold snap continues to make roads hazardous.
A previous yellow warning for snow and ice expired at 11:00 GMT while a freezing fog warning ended at 09:00.
Flights are continuing to arrive at Belfast International Airport despite the conditions
Translink has warned passengers that bus services would be subject to delay and disruption due to the weather.
The majority of the school closures are in the north west, including schools in Limavady, Claudy and Derry.
Translink said it would not be able to provide bus services to untreated roads in the city.
Principal Philip McCullagh's school in Claudy has closed for a third day
Philip McCullagh, principal of St Patrick's and St Brigid's in Claudy, County Londonderry, said his school has closed for a third consecutive day.
"It has not really improved over the last few days, we have made a couple of attempts to clear the site but local footpaths and roads remain treacherous," he told BBC News NI.
"It has to be safety first," he added.
A bin lorry makes its round through a snow shower outside Antrim town
The Met Office has warned of hazardous conditions on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths on Thursday evening.
Temperatures were forecast to plummet to close to -10C in some places, inland and away from the coast, and freezing fog patches are also expected.
The lowest temperature on record in January for Northern Ireland is -17.5C in Magherally in County Down in 1979.
In the Republic of Ireland, a status orange warning - the second highest level - for low temperatures has been issued for 15 counties, mainly around the midlands.
It lasts from 19:00 on Thursday until 08:00 on Friday, with a yellow warning for ice and low temperatures elsewhere.
The Department for Infrastructure said it had salted roads on the scheduled network overnight including school routes, but that road users should exercise caution when travelling.
Around six inches of snow cover the Glenelly Valley in County Tyrone
In Plumbridge, County Tyrone, Annie Mullan and her husband Vincent run Buttlerlope social and eco farm, but they have closed it this week for safety reasons.
"There's been heavy snow, we have about six inches of it up here," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today on Thursday.
"We have had to cancel our social farm services these last two days… people are finding it difficult to get out on the roads."
She said the weather was proving challenging especially for people in rural areas and the way roads in the area are treated "needs to be looked at".
"They are saying there are not enough people on the route but it is used for a lot of key services, to get to Draperstown, for schools, for commuters," she said.
Derry City and Strabane District Council also warned residents of possible disruption to a number of services, including bin collection.
It advised people to leave their bin out as normal and that those not emptied today will be emptied as conditions improve later this week.
All council cemeteries are also closed to the public on Thursday except for burials.
Eilena McKeever and Buddy brave the elements in Claudy
Eilena McKeever braved the elements to walk her dog Buddy in Claudy.
"The weather has been beautiful to look at but some areas have been very slippy with the snow and ice and there are a number of schools closed here in Claudy - but Buddy needs a walk," she told BBC News NI.
Milder weekend ahead
The jet stream has been to the south of the Republic of Ireland and the UK recently, allowing cold arctic air to move south.
This, coupled with short days and longer nights, has allowed temperatures to fall up to 10C below normal at night.
The jet stream will move north over the weekend allowing milder air to move in and, by Monday, temperatures for some could reach 13C in the afternoon.
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Snow covered Binevenagh in County Londonderry on Thursday morning
Who can get cold weather payments?
On Monday, it was confirmed that the recent wintry conditions had triggered cold weather payments in 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.
They will be paid to people living in the following postcodes in County Down:
BT24, 25, 26
BT30, 31, 32, 33, 34