Met Office issues snow & heavy rain warning today for Northern Ireland
The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings, due to unsettled conditions sweeping across the UK.
A statement from the Met Office explains: "Frontal systems bring rain and snow to Northern Ireland and southern and central Britain today and overnight, alongside strong winds through Thursday."
A local yellow warning covers rain that is falling as snow over high ground before easing later.
While lower levels are likely to see little or no lying snow, several centimetres could accumulate above 250 metres, especially across the Sperrins. This will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds. Any lying snow should thaw during the evening and overnight.
The yellow warning is in place until 8pm tonight (Wed 18th Feb).
Looking ahead...
The outlook into the weekend stays unsettled, with further bands of rain interspersed with brighter intervals.
Rain will mainly affect western areas, where ground conditions are less sensitive at present. Temperatures will become increasingly mild for the time of year as Atlantic air moves in.
This could bring the potential for highs of up to 16°C in sheltered places with any brightness – exceptionally mild for the time of year – before temperatures turn a little closer to average into next week.
Northern Ireland's five-day forecast 👇
Today: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and hill snow. Some heavy outbreaks through the morning, especially across the south and west, but gradually easing through the afternoon. Strong southeasterly winds, with gales likely around coasts and over hills. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of mainly light rain, but some drier spells, with perhaps breaks in the cloud, especially in west and a frost in places as winds fall light. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with some rain in morning, but mainly in east then a drier spell before rain spreads from west in afternoon as winds turn southwest and freshen a little. Maximum temperature 6 °C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Milder and windier on Friday, heavy rain in morning, turning to showers in afternoon. Rain or showers on Saturday though a drier spell in morning, Windy and showery on Sunday.
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