Ice warning issued as NI faces coldest night of winter so far with temperatures plunging to -8°C ❄️🌡️
Expect slippery surfaces and watch out for black ice
Last updated 30th Jan 2019
The Met Office has issued further weather warnings for ice for a large swathe of Northern Ireland tonight with sub-zero temperatures and wintry showers forecast.
With temperatures expected to fall to as low as -8°C in rural areas, forecasters say there is likely to be a "widespread" frost on Thursday morning with a yellow "be aware" warning in place for all counties.
According to the Met Office; "Icy patches will readily form this evening as melting snow re-freezes. Isolated wintry showers are possible overnight, these becoming more frequent on Thursday morning with ice forming on untreated surfaces."
The bulk of overnight snow showers fell towards the north and west, where an additional 1cm of snow could fall to lower levels later with further snowfall possible over higher ground.
"Expect slippery surfaces and black ice on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths."
The warning comes into effect from 17:00 Wednesday lasting through until 11:00 Thursday.
Parts of Northern Ireland will be colder than Finland's capital Helsinki, Alaska and Moscow in Russia tonight where lows of 0 to -4° are forecast.
Drivers will have to brace themselves for a heavy frost in the morning - worth stocking up on de-icer.
There could be additional disruption on Sunday as another Atlantic low pressure system develops tracking east bringing with it further sleet and snow showers. Details remain very uncertain at this stage.
NORTHERN IRELAND FIVE DAY FORECAST
Wednesday - Icy start. Mixture of sunny spells and occasional sleet or snow showers towards the north coast with the odd one drifting inland. High 4°C / Low -4°C
Thursday - Overcast but mainly dry, very cold with a strong easterly wind. High 4°C / Low 0°C
Friday - Bright spells, staying dry but feeling bitterly cold. High 5°C / Low -1°C
Saturday - Sunny spells and a few wintry showers. High 5°C / Low -1°C
Sunday - Less cold on Sunday with rain, preceded by snow on higher ground spreading eastwards. High 5°C / Low 0°C
