Northern Ireland

‘Treacherous’ road conditions as weather warning in place across Northern Ireland

It follows a similar warning which had been issued on Sunday

A Gritter drives through the snow at Nutt’s Corner roundabout near the Belfast International Airport on Monday. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
A Gritter drives through the snow at Nutt’s Corner roundabout near the Belfast International Airport on Monday. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
By John Breslin

Treacherous road conditions were reported across the north on Tuesday morning with police issuing warnings to motorists to slow down and stay safe.

A number of schools are closed today due to the adverse weather.

The severe weather was blamed for causing a multiple-vehicle crash on the Frosses Road between Ballymena and Ballymoney.

Police warned the road conditions in the area were ‘treacherous’ due to the current weather.

Snow Falls on the Ligoniel Road on Monday evening. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Snow Falls on the Ligoniel Road on Monday evening. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

Last night motorists were advised to avoid the Broad Road / Coleraine Mountain area of Limavady. Police said that heavy snowfall had left a number of vehicles stuck in place, and traffic unable to pass. It reopened shortly after 9pm.

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Snow falls caused difficult driving conditions on the M2 north of Belllevue, Sandyknowes, Templepatrick, Antrim Area Hospital, Dunsilly, Nutts Corner, Randalstown, Dungiven and Drumahoe

In North Down at Cultra, an emergency closure was put in place on the A2 Belfast to Bangor Road.

A new warning for ice and snow was in place as the current cold spell continues.

The latest yellow warning from the Met Office is in effectuntil 11am on Tuesday.

It follows a similar warning which had been issued on Sunday.

More: Thousands without water and power amid bitter weather across Ireland

Snow and ice caused disruption this weekend across Ireland and the UK, impacting flights at a number of airports and leading to the cancellation of some events.

Across the north the latest weather alert warns that snow and ice could lead to “some disruption to travel”.

“Rain, sleet and snow showers will continue during Monday evening and night leading to a risk of icy stretches,” the Met Office said.

Snow Falls on the Ligoniel Road on Monday evening. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Snow Falls on the Ligoniel Road on Monday evening. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

“A slight covering of snow is possible in places, and perhaps up to 5 cm on hills in the north and west, especially the Sperrins.

“Snow showers are expected to become more frequent across the north and west for a time this afternoon and evening.

Snow Falls on the Ligoniel Road on Monday evening. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Snow Falls on the Ligoniel Road on Monday evening. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

A similar warning for snow and ice is in place in the Republic from midday on Monday until 12pm on Tuesday.

The winter weather has resulted in many losing power and water in the Republic – as of Monday morning, the Irish Electricity Supply Board (ESB) said 41,000 homes and businesses remained without power and warned it may take days to restore supply to all customers.

The Irish water authority, Uisce Éireann, announced that a similar number of people were without access to water after heavy snow in the south-west region.

Met Éireann has also issued an alert for low temperatures and ice until midnight on Friday, advising that “very cold nights” could lead to “widespread frost, ice and lying snow”.