Northern Ireland is braced for another blast of winter and disruption just as most schools and many workplaces are set to return from Monday.
The Met Office have warned this weekend will see potential snowfall of up to 15cm at higher grounds amid an ongoing warning of “a fairly considerable ice risk” leading into the new week.
Already today, sport is affected with five Irish Cup ties in doubt.
Pitch inspections have been called at Knockbreda v Crusaders; Belfast Celtic v Moyola; Dollingstown v Ballyclare, Institute v Loughgall and Dungannon Swifts v Rathfriland.
The cold snap shows no sign of giving way as the Met Office also issued a renewed yellow weather warning which began yesterday at 4pm and is in place until 10am on Saturday, stretching across counties Antrim, Down, Londonderry and Tyrone.
Saturday will begin dry with bright spells, however as the day continues the Met Office have warned of sleet and snowfall moving in from the east.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, a spokesperson from the Met Office said: “The low pressure on Saturday is likely to bring some snow in Northern Ireland. The main focus will be on the mainland UK but there will certainly be some in Northern Ireland.
“The higher ground will be more affected with the mountains in the south east likely to see the most snow accumulation — potentially 10-15cm in the highest regions as a worst case scenario.
“More widely there will be more of a sleet and snow mix falling through Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday.”
Temperatures on Saturday will range between 1C and 3C, reaching near freezing in the east and bringing an assortment of snow, sleet and ice with it.
Heading into Sunday, the potential for wintery showers will continue, with the rain, sleet and snow stretching to the north of the country and maximum temperatures remaining in just the low single figures.
Temperatures plummet to minus 5C overnight as cold snap continues to grip UK
With schools starting on Monday, the Met Office has cautioned commuters of a “fairly considerable ice risk” in place, with a particular focus on rural areas.
They advised those travelling to give themselves extra time due to the more hazardous conditions.
Throughout Monday, icy surfaces are expected to subside as sunny spells break out later in the morning.
Temperatures will remain in the low single figures, reaching highs of around 3C.
A spokesperson from the Met Office added: “With the sleet or snow falling through Sunday, it does mean surfaces will be quite wet going into Sunday night and Monday and temperatures are expected to drop then. A drop of perhaps -2C and -3C is expected in rural parts so there could be a fairly considerable ice risk.
“It could be a little more dangerous, so I would advise to give people a bit of extra time given the wintery nature of the weather that’s around at the moment.
“Monday itself will see some spells of sunshine, so hopefully it will thaw away into the morning although around travelling to work and school times it could still be below freezing so do take care when travelling then.”
Elsewhere in the UK, an amber warning for snow and freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and the north-west cities of Liverpool and Manchester, is in place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday, the Met Office said.
Meanwhile in the Republic of Ireland, Met Eireann have issued an orange weather warning for the southern counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
The warning extends between 5pm on Saturday until 5pm the following day, with significant snowfall expected.