Three NI counties receives amber weather warning

• Snow and ice warnings have been issued for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• Drivers are advised to use caution and clear their windscreen of ice and snow before setting off.
• From 3:00 on Thursday to 10:00 on Friday, there are warnings in effect.

For a portion of the counties of Antrim, Down, and Armagh, a snow and ice warning in amber has been issued.

The Met Office will issue this second-highest level of warning from 15:00 GMT on Thursday to 4:00 GMT on Friday.

The yellow warning is still in effect for the rest of Northern Ireland.

Across many places, snow is anticipated to start in the afternoon before moving eastward and becoming heavier and more persistent.

The Met Office has issued a travel advisory due to “atrocious” weather, particularly over higher ground.

Apart from the nearest beaches, between 4 and 8 cm of snow is predicted, with 10 to 20 cm over higher ground.

The remainder of Northern Ireland is under a yellow warning from Thursday at 7:00 GMT until Friday at 14:00 GMT.

The Northern Ireland Police Service has urged drivers to use additional caution, particularly on any roads that may not have been grated.

“Clear your windscreen of ice and snow before you set off and remember to slow down and increase the distance between you and the car ahead,” a spokeswoman said.

“Stopping distances increase greatly when weather conditions are poor, so slow down and leave a bigger gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front, and drive as smoothly as possible.”

Snow and ice warnings have also been issued for the Republic of Ireland for Thursday and Friday.

For snow across Ulster, Connacht, and portions of Munster and Leinster, the second-highest level has been issued for 13 counties.

A large amount of snowfall and icy conditions have been predicted by Met Éireann in several places.

From 3:00 on Thursday to 10:00 on Friday, there are warnings in effect.

Drivers were advised to exercise caution this week as road gritting services would be hampered by industrial action in a pay dispute, according to Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, it said it would “priorities the areas at greatest risk, such as high ground, and have targeted the available resources to deliver an overnight gritting program”.

“The Department has external snow clearance contractors available to treat areas such as the Glenshane Pass if we need to do so,” a spokesperson continued.

The Unite and GMB unions have voiced their opposition to a salary bonus that they believe ought to be offered to every employee.

The agency requested a “derogation for winter service for the next few days,” but stated that it was “dedicated to resolving this conflict”.

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