Northern Ireland: Snow causes some travel disruption

Freezing temperatures and snowfall has led to travel disruption in some parts of Northern Ireland.

Translink has warned of disruption to services on rural routes such as Ballymena, Ballyclare, Larne, Magherafelt, Cookstown, Newry and Lisburn.

Some services from Belfast, Ballygowan, Derryboy, Omagh and Newcastle did not run on Friday morning.

Police have warned motorists to reduce speed and “drive to suit the conditions” as many routes across the country are “hazardous”.

As Storm Bert approaches this weekend, Northern Ireland is set to face further challenging conditions with heavy rain, snow and strong winds.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for all three elements, highlighting the risk of flooding, travel delays and power outages from late Friday night into Saturday.

Rain will move across Northern Ireland overnight on Friday, with snow expected to fall on high ground, especially in the north and west.

Snow accumulations of 5-10cm are possible above 150m, with up to 20cm on mountain tops.

By Saturday morning, snow will quickly melt to rain, with widespread rainfall totals of 20-30mm and up to 60mm on hills, increasing the risk of surface flooding.

A snow and rain warning lasts from midnight on Friday until 11:00 GMT on Sunday.

South-easterly winds will strengthen on Saturday, with gusts up to 60mph (100kmh/h) in many areas and up to 70mph (115km/h) along exposed coasts.

Those winds could cause travel delays, damage to trees, and cause some power outages.

Coastal routes and sea fronts could be hit by large waves, while high-sided vehicles are advised to avoid exposed routes.

A wind warning will be in place from 05:00 GMT until 19:00 on Saturday.

Due to the yellow Met office warning, resurfacing work planned on the Sydenham Bypass over the weekend will not proceed and the road will remain open.

The city-bound carriageway has been shut every weekend since the end of September for resurfacing work.

The roadworks were due to stop on Monday to help ease congestion over the busy Christmas period.

However, the carriageway will open from 06:00 GMT on Saturday and remain open until 5 January 2025.

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann has issued a red weather alert for rain in Cork and Galway on Friday night, which is being brought by Storm Bert.

Met Éireann has warned of severe flooding, damage to homes and businesses, and dangerous travelling conditions.

The red warnings are in place from midnight on Friday until 10:00 GMT on Saturday.

A yellow wind and rain warning from Friday night into Saturday morning has been issued for the rest of the country.

A second Status Orange warning – the second highest level – has been issued for rain for several counties on Saturday morning.

Storm Bert will bring very strong south-easterly winds and widespread heavy rain across the country.

Disruption to travel as well as some localised flooding and fallen trees is expected.