Fresh warning for ice and snow in Northern Ireland as schools close for second day

A new weather warning for ice and snow has been issued for parts of the north for Wednesday and Thursday as a number of schools remain closed for a second day due to wintery conditions.

The Met Office has issued another yellow warning for snow and ice for parts of counties Antrim, Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone from 4pm on Wednesday.

It will be in place until 11am on Thursday, with the forecaster warning snow and ice could lead to disruption in parts.

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“Showers of rain and sleet near coasts, and snow inland, will continue to affect the north and west of Northern Ireland this evening, overnight and into Thursday morning,” a Met Office spokesperson said.

The St Mary’s vs Queen’s University Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup match which was due to take place today in Belfast at 2pm has been postponed due to the adverse weather.

“As surfaces fall below freezing, this will lead to some icy stretches on untreated surfaces, while a few cm of fresh snow could affect some areas, mainly places above about 100 metres.”

According to the BBC, temperatures in the early hours of Wednesday morning dropped to as low as -6 degrees Celsius in Katesbridge, Co Down, making it the coldest night of the current winter season.

Some schools remain closed due to adverse weather conditions as lingering snow and ice continued to cause travel disruption on Wednesday.

According to the NI Direct Website (as of 11.43am), Co Derry schools Cumber Claudy Primary, Hazelbank Primary and St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College are all closed due to the weather.

Meanwhile in Co Tyrone, St Peter’s Primary School Plumbridge and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Greencastle remain closed for a second day.

In Co Down, Toreagh Primary School is also closed.

Derry City and Strabane District Council said that ongoing weather was impacting a number of its services, including delays to bin collections and access to the city cemetery.

A previous Met Office yellow alert for snow and ice was in place for the north until midday, with police earlier issuing a warning to road users.

“Please take extra care on the roads this morning especially on those which may not have been gritted,” a police spokesperson said.

“Clear your windscreen of ice before you set off and remember to slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead.”

In the Republic, a Met Eireann status orange warning for low temperatures and ice will remain in place for most parts of the country throughout the day.