Temperatures to drop later this week as winter creeps in
Time to fork out for that teddy bear fleece duvet!
Looks like Jack Frost is on his way ❄️
As the clocks rolled back an hour over the weekend, we painfully said goodbye to early morning sunrises and hello to sunsets at 4pm.
Looks like we need to dig out our gloves and scarves from the back of the wardrobe, according to the local weather forecast we’ll feel a drop in temperatures very soon.
After the weekend's stormy weather, this week looks somewhat more settled. Today looks set to stay dry with good bright and sunny spells.
Fresh to strong northerly winds will push showers inland on Wednesday. The skies will stay bright and clear, but there will a real cold feel to the day, with a maximum temp of 10 °C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
A cold, but bright and sunny day on Thursday. Cloudier and milder on Friday but mainly dry. Likely a wet and windy day on Saturday.
If you’re not quite ready to let go of autumn just yet, why not check out some of our favourite and most colourful fall walks.
Find out more ⬇️
Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle
A walk in the gorgeous Tollymore is full of adventures and novelties – forestry, bridges, grottos, caves and three sets of stepping stones over the Shimna River. Which is probably why HBO filmed Game of Thrones here. Crossing this waterway always makes for a great photo opportunity.
Glenariff Forest Park, Cushendall
Glenariff, the "Queen of the Glens", hosts the spectacular Glenariff Forest Park. The Waterfall Walkway opened over 80 years ago. The walk passes through three waterfalls and forest trails that offer picturesque panoramic views. There's also a visitor centre, exhibition, interactive display, shop, caravan site and a seasonal restaurant on site.
Mount Stewart, Newtownards
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Mount Stewart - it's not just the foliage changing, it's the wildlife too. Look out for the red squirrels preparing for winter.
Castle Espie, Comber
Autumn is a magical time of the year to visit Castle Espie Wetland Centre. October sees the return of other migratory bird species, including Whooper swans, which are often seen swooping overhead after completing their own remarkable journey from the Arctic.
Ward Park, Bangor
Near the seaside town of Bangor, Ward Park covers a spectacular area of 37 acres of woodland. It also has a chain of small lakes providing wildfowl sanctuary with many interesting specimens and dry pens containing a large variety of exotic birds.
Stormont Estate, Belfast
Only five miles out of the city, one of the most popular spots to admire and take in the autumnal colours. Explore Parliament Buildings and the beautiful surroundings of the estate. Take a stroll along the winding forest paths mapped out for walkers and joggers.
Crom Demesne, Enniskillen
Take a walk through an incredible landscape of orange and gold. Jump in crunchy leaves, discover shiny conkers and enjoy uplifting fresh air with all the family and keep and eye out for the array of both resident and visiting wildlife.
Castle Ward, Strangford
Castle Ward is particularly spectacular in autumn when the colours change and the summer months starts to settle down. There is plenty to discover, starting with the changing colours of the deciduous trees as the lose their leaves for the winter. The first to turn is the Ivy in the courtyard, finishing off summer with a blaze of pinks and reds. From the farmyard, head out to Temple Water where the Japanese maples will be in full colour.
Hillsborough Forest Park, Lisburn
Set in a picturesque Georgian village with its own castle, you can't beat an afternoon exploring Hillsborough. The forest park is a popular choice among dog walkers, photographers and nature-lovers, the forest covers an area of almost 200 acres and has way-marked routes providing a variety of different walks to suit everyone.
The Argory, Dungannon
Come an investigate the many species of funghi popping their heads up all over the estate and check out the changing aspect of the trees as they start to lose their leaves once again. Bond's Bridge is a must visit.
Botanic Gardens, Belfast
Autumn is one of the best times to take a long walk in Botanic Gardens with a number of family-friendly walking trails. The park is popular with residents, students and visitors and is home to the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine.
Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan
For something a bit different, why don't you cycle through the rustic woodland trails at Castlewellan Forest Park. With green, blue and red grade trails (including black options) Castlewellan is a must-visit for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities.
Gosford Forest Park, Markethill
Northern Ireland's first conservation forest is filled with over 240 hectares of woodland and open parkland for you to enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled as you explore the park for heritage poultry, a deer park and rare breeds of cattle and sheep on site.
Read more:
10 breathtaking waterfall walks to explore in Northern Ireland
13 epic spots to go sledging in Northern Ireland
Best places to grab a hot chocolate in Belfast