Northern Ireland weather: Snow and ice as Arctic air sweeps in

Snow fell on the beach in Ballywalter on Tuesday morning

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across Northern Ireland from 19:00 GMT on Tuesday as the cold snap continues.

Temperatures dipped to below freezing on Monday night and into Tuesday morning.

The warning, which affects County Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrim, and Down lasts from 19:00 GMT on Tuesday until 09:00 GMT on Wednesday.

A few snow showers will continue, especially in the north and north-east.

The Met Office says 1-2cm of snow could fall in some locations and there is an added risk of ice.

It will also be a particularly cold night with temperatures inland widely expected to fall to -5C, even lower in some rural spots.

Fields of snow at Ballougry Road, Londonderry, on Tuesday

A warning for ice and low temperatures has also been issued across parts of the Republic of Ireland for Tuesday night.

Met Éireann is warning of some hazardous conditions with icy stretches on roads and footpaths.

The warnings follow some snowfall overnight on Monday and into Tuesday.

More snow is expected later in the week with the worst conditions developing from early on Thursday. There is still a degree of uncertainty about how severe the weather will be.

Parts of Northern Ireland, along with Wales and northern England, are expected to be worst affected.

The organisation said 15-20cm of snow could be expected in some parts and strong winds could lead to blizzard-like conditions.

Arctic air

On Monday night, temperatures in many inland areas were about -3C to -4C at about 07:30 GMT with icy conditions on roads as a result.

Snow has been reported in areas, including the north-west, Ballyclare, Downpatrick and Donaghadee.

Flora testing out the snow in Mountsandel, Coleraine

The Met Office said it was most likely over higher ground and towards the north coast but due to the random nature of showers most places would avoid snow.

Cold Arctic air is pushing south across Ireland and the UK this week, bringing temperatures below average by day.

A chilly, northerly wind will make it feel colder, especially along the coast and in exposed areas.

Residents in Bangor woke up to a dusting of snow on Tuesday morning

Road maintenance workers are due to strike this week as part of a dispute about pay, meaning normal gritting may not take place during the cold snap.

Stormont's Department for Infrastructure said it was worried about the effect of the industrial action.

"This morning's grit in all likelihood will hold us through until tomorrow," said David Porter from the department.

"Where I am more concerned is later in the week when we're going to get disruptive snow and a single [gritting] in the day will not be sufficient.

"We will need to be in 24-hour action and we don't have the resources to do that because of the industrial action."

Road workers - including gritter lorry drivers - are striking in a dispute about a pay bonus

The GMB union, which represents some of the workers, said no resolution had been agreed during a meeting with department officials on Monday.

"It is regrettable - we accept that there may be an impact to the public but we are doing all we can," Alan Perry from the union told the BBC's The Nolan Show on Tuesday

"We need to be clear that there will be gritting done and I've no doubt that those involved in that service will carry it out to the best of their ability."

Mr Perry said that roads workers were among "the lowest paid in the civil service", with some earning just over £20,000 a year.

The dispute concerns a bonus and how it is applied at a manager's discretion.

The union wants the bonus to be given to all staff as part of their pay.

The Department for Infrastructure is urging drivers to "exercise extreme caution" on the roads while the gritting service is disrupted.