The cold snap in Northern Ireland is finally set to end this weekend – after almost a week of freezing temperatures.
The Met Office has advised that maximum temperatures on Saturday will go back up to 6C.
And while it may not seem overly warm, it will continue to become considerably milder and drier, as the bitterly cold Arctic airmass that has been affecting the island for several days will start to move away.
Weather warnings for ice were in place across Northern Ireland and most of Wales, as well as large parts of the east of England, until 10am on Friday.
In Northern Ireland, Friday evening remained relatively dry and cold, but cloudy with some frost developing. It was expected to be cloudy into the early hours with a little rain, developing some transient icy patches with a minimum temperature of -1C.
Nonetheless, Saturday is expected to generally be a cloudy day with some light rain in the morning, becoming drier and brighter through the afternoon.
Although, clear skies on Saturday night will allow for some freezing fog patches to form, and temperatures could fall to -3C.
It will become somewhat less cold as the weekend progresses into next week, with Sunday looking to be mainly dry, although fairly cloudy. There will be highs of 11C in the west.
It will also remain cloudy and mild on Monday with rain for a time, with a high of 13C, whilst Tuesday is predicted to be dry and still quite mild.
Temperatures are likely to be generally a little above average, falling to around average into next week, though Northern Ireland may see the odd rather cold start under clear skies and lighter winds.
The snow and low temperatures have prompted travel disruptions, the closure of schools, and the curtailment of healthcare services in the beginning of January so far, with home heating oil prices also on the rise.
Oli Claydon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said Friday night would be particularly cold in Northern Ireland, but not as cold as Thursday night.
The national forecaster has also announced that the UK has actually recorded its coldest January night in 15 years, as more freezing temperatures are expected to roll in over the coming days across other parts.
Mr Claydon said Friday night would see temperatures as low as minus 15C again in the Scottish highlands.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday.
Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until January 14, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
In the Republic of Ireland, Met Eireann had issued a series of orange and yellow-level warnings for low temperatures, snow and ice.
The last yellow-level warning, which applied to the whole country, expired at midday on Friday.
Met Eireann said it was the first time since December 29 that no weather warning had been issued for any county.
Drivers urged to be cautious due to burst water pipe
NI traffic watch has reported a burst water main on Main Street in Ballywalter. This has already been reported to NI Water. However, due to freezing conditions, drivers are being urged to slow down and approach with extreme care.
Today07:53
Alex Keery
Weather warning latest
The current weather warning for snow and ice is set to last until 10am today, and is in force across Co Antrim, Co Down, Co Londonderry and Co Tyrone.
The Met Office has said that the continuing adverse conditions could lead to some disruption to travel.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Scattered wintry showers on Thursday evening will slowly fade overnight, leading to the risk of icy patches on untreated surfaces as temperatures fall below freezing.”
Today07:11
Alex Keery
Full list of schools closed today
Belleek No 2 Primary School, Corry
Ballougry Primary School, 30 Mullenan Road
St Theresa’s Primary School Glebe, 33 Garvan Road
Rossmar School, 2 Ballyquin Road
St Patrick’s Primary School Rasharkin, 8 Gortahar Road
Yesterday21:29
Sarah Harford
Enjoying first snow
While the prolonged cold snap is ‘snow’ joke for some, hotel staff in Co Down have been loving the frosty weather.
The Met Office is forecasting a mainly dry, clear and very cold night across Northern Ireland. A widespread sharp frost is expected, with freezing fog patches, a chance of light wintry showers along the north coast, and a minimum temperature of -5C.
Tomorrow, all parts are set to have a dry and cold day with some bright or sunny spells and a maximum temperature of 4C.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has thanked everyone involved in the delivery of winter service during the current period of cold weather.
Temperatures have fallen below zero over the past week and the Department’s winter service teams have been out gritting the 7,000 km of road on the salting schedule.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “My Department’s winter service teams have been working tirelessly around the clock in recent days to keep the public safe and traffic moving and will be out again today with further ice and snow forecast.
“On average, 49,200 tonnes of salt is used each winter. And this season has already seen 42,580 tonnes of salt used.
“Since 1 January, our teams have carried out 2,262 route treatments across the network.
“This has required the commitment of over 320 staff and 130 gritters and in theory this means that 28% of the road network is salted, directly benefiting around 80% of road users.
“Where resources allowed, we have also carried out salting of some rural roads not on the schedule to assist pupils travelling to some of our more rural schools.
“This is not an easy job. We need to remember that these men and women leave their homes and families, often during the night , and are regularly the first to drive along untreated roads in difficult conditions to make routes safer for us to travel and I want to thank them for doing so.
“However, please remember that the service provided cannot entirely eliminate the risks – even on roads that are gritted, ice free conditions cannot be guaranteed and conditions can change very quickly.
“We must be mindful of this and adjust the way we drive, ride or cycle to ensure it is appropriate for the conditions.
“The best advice is in the Highway Code, take extra care even if roads have been salted, be prepared for road conditions changing over short distances and take care when overtaking gritters. Remember, just because you don’t see a gritter does not mean they have not been out. ”
Yesterday15:56
Sarah Harford
Road salting
With snow and icy patches expected, salting of roads on the scheduled network is planned to commence from early this afternoon, into this evening and overnight into Friday morning.
Yesterday15:25
Sarah Harford
The view from Cavehill this afternoon
Yesterday14:16
Sarah Harford
Temperature drops to -7C
Last night was the coldest night of winter so far, says BBC weather presenter Barra Best, with lows of -7C in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
A new weather warning for wintery showers and ice has now been issued.
It is set to last from 4pm today until 10am tomorrow, and will be in force across Co Antrim, Co Down, Co Londonderry and Co Tyrone.
The Met Office has said that the continuing adverse conditions could lead to some disruption to travel.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Scattered wintry showers on Thursday evening will slowly fade overnight, leading to the risk of icy patches on untreated surfaces as temperatures fall below freezing.
“Isolated snow accumulations of 2-4 cm will be possible, more especially in Wales on hills above 150m elevation.”
Yesterday11:19
Stephanie Finnegan
Full list of schools closed today
Ballougry Primary School, 30 Mullenan Road
Artigarvan Primary School, 31 Berryhill Road
Greenhaw Primary School, Carnhill Estate
Bready Jubilee Primary School, 12 Cloughbuoy Road
St Brigid’s Primary School, Carnhill Estate
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School Strathfoyle, Parkmore Drive
St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College, Claudy, 55 Main Street
St Joseph’s Boys’ School, Westway
Rossmar School, 2 Ballyquin Road
Foyle College, Limavady Road
Hazelbank Primary School, 20 Hazelbank Road
Oakgrove Integrated Primary School and Nursery, Limavady Road, Derry
Windsor Hill Primary School, Church Avenue, Newry – no heating
Magherafelt High School on Moneymore Road is closed today due to mechanical issues – no heat, warm water or canteen services
The coldest weather is yet to come, with forecasters predicting that tonight could see the mercury drop to its lowest point of 2025 yet.
Temperatures in the Scottish Highlands are expected to drop as far as -20C, but in Northern Ireland, it is thought that tonight will see -6C at its worst.
The lowest temperature recorded overnight here over this new year period was -6.9C at Katesbridge near Banbridge on Tuesday, into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
This morning and afternoon will be very similar to yesterday, with sunny spells and wintry showers in the north, and highs of 2C expected again.
Then temperatures will recover into the weekend, with milder air moving in from the west.
Yesterday07:53
Gareth Hanna
PSNI warning for defrosting cars
In a statement a spokesperson for the PSNI in north Belfast said: “We have been out on patrol overnight focusing on anti-burglary patrols.
“Please don’t leave your car unattended whilst the engine is running to defrost windows.”
Police are also asking road users to ensure their windscreen is clear before driving and to take caution on icy roads.
Yesterday07:37
Gareth Hanna
Latest: Two weather warnings remain in force this morning
There are two Met Office weather warnings still in force this morning. A yellow warning for fog is in place throughout this morning’s rush hour, ending at 9am. A warning for snow and ice also remains in place until 11am. Motorists have been warned to expect some icy stretches on untreated surfaces.
Wednesday20:33
Sarah Harford
Weather forecast
The Met Office is forecasting a few wintry showers in the north and down North Channel coasts this evening. Otherwise it is set to be dry with some clear intervals, the odd fog patch in the south, and minimum temperatures of -5C.
Tomorrow, a few wintry showers are expected at first in the north. Otherwise it will be dry and bright with some good sunny spells and light winds. The Met Office said there will perhaps be the odd freezing fog patch, and maximum temperature of 2C.
Wednesday17:09
Niamh Campbell
Tailbacks in foggy conditions across parts of Belfast – Westlink (left), Albertbridge Road (top right), M1 Stockmans Lane (bottom right).Traffic Watch
New yellow weather warning for fog in NI
The Met Office has issued yet another weather warning, this time for fog across all six counties.
The alert is in place from 5pm today until 9am tomorrow morning.
Freezing fog is expected to become more extensive and thicken across Northern Ireland this evening and overnight, with visibility falling to less than 100 m in places. Once formed the fog may well persist into Thursday morning. Some icy patches will also develop on untreated surfaces bringing an additional hazard.
In Belfast this evening, thick fog is already reducing visibility in these areas in particular:
Westlink / M1 Broadway to J12 The Birches
M2 Foreshore from York Street to J2 Greencastle
What should I do?
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls. If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
The already-delayed football clash between Dr Crokes and Errigal Ciaran has been switched to Newbridge as GAA chiefs battle against sub-zero temperatures to keep the All-Ireland club season on track.