Two NI school closures with ‘dangerous’ road conditions amid warning for snow and ice

Just one crash reported so far this morning as Scullions Road in Mallusk is down to one lane approaching Mallusk Road due to the collision.

Elsewhere, there are significant delays in both directions in Whiteabbey with the Shore Road down to one lane.

Tomorrow and Friday are predicted to be mainly dry and cold, with a few north coast showers at first.

Frost and patchy fog are still expected across the rest of the week, with some snow followed by clouds and patchy rain later Friday or Saturday.

The weekend should then see temperatures begin to rise, with highs up up to 12 degrees expected by the start of next week. 

There were lows of around -7C to -9C in Katesbridge, Co Down, last night, but more widely temperatures settled to -3C to -5C across the vast majority of the province.

The Met Office is forecasting occasional wintry showers this evening with local fresh snowfalls and some ice. Overnight, showers will die back to northern coastal areas, and it is set to be frosty with a minimum temperature -3C.

Tomorrow is set to be a mostly dry but cold day in Northern Ireland, with some sunshine. A few coastal wintry showers and icy patches are expected with a maximum temperature of 2C.

With temperatures expected to fall below freezing, salting of roads on the scheduled network was underway this afternoon. Further action is planned this evening and tomorrow morning, but road users are still advised to exercise caution, particularly when driving on untreated roads.

The PSNI has warned motorists to avoid the Moyard Road, Kilkeel, between Fofanny Reservoir and Hilltown.  A number of vehicles are currently unable to move due to inclement weather conditions. 

Some beautiful shots of snow on the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle on the 7th January 2025 (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)

A weather warning for snow and ice comes into effect at 3pm today.
The Met Office has warned of widespread snow and ice until noon tomorrow. 
Travel disruption is expected this evening and tomorrow morning. 

Danger to life flood warning in England
A danger to life flood warning is in place as dozens of people have been rescued by firefighters – and more rain, sleet and snow are on the way.
People living at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, have been urged to act now, with a large-scale evacuation required to save lives after heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt amid the Environment Agency’s severe flood warning for the River Soar.
One man was rescued from a caravan in Proctors Park, Barrow upon Soar, on a raft on Tuesday morning.
And two people had to be rescued from flood water by firefighters in Leicester Road, Leicester, on Monday afternoon, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said as of 6am on Tuesday, 59 people had been rescued – including the two in Leicester Road, who were attempting to walk through flood waters and lost their footing.
A spokesperson for the fire service said firefighters and paramedics attended as the people had to be rescued with a water raft and had sustained some injuries.
In North Yorkshire, police said the body of a man had been recovered on Monday from an area of flooding in Beal, near Eggborough and Knottingley.
Scores of flood warnings remain in place across England as fresh snow flurries hit London and Manchester on Tuesday morning.

Some parts of NI are getting more wintry weather than others, but if you’re enjoying a snow day, we’d love to see your snaps and may even feature some of them in our coverage. Email us at [email protected] ☃️

A new weather warning for snow and ice has been issued by the Met Office.

It will be in place from 3pm today until noon tomorrow for all six counties of Northern Ireland and disruption to travel is expected.

Wintry showers of rain and sleet near coasts, and snow inland, will continue to affect Northern Ireland this afternoon and into this evening. Overnight, showers should become confined to coastal areas. 

With winds easing, it is likely to be a much colder night than last night, bringing widespread frost and icy patches.

People are advised to allow extra time for any journeys and to check for road closures.

If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g. warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).

The Met Office also says be prepared for weather warnings to change.

Emergency services are attending the scene of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A29 between Cookstown and Dungannon. It happened at the junction with the Sherrigrim Road this morning.

While most of NI is off to school as normal, there was good news for some pupils looking for a snow day! Here’s the list of schools closed so far:

Donemana Primary School: 31 Longland Road

Glendermott Primary School: 50 Ardmore Road

St Peter’s Primary School Plumbridge: 415 Lisnaragh Road

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Greencastle: 279 Crockanboy Road

Our Lady of Fatima Primary School: 92 Ervey Road, Tamnaherin

Gaelscoil na gCrann: Ballinamullan, Omagh

St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College: Claudy, 55 Main Street

Rossmar School: 2 Ballyquin Road