More Snow As Big Freeze Returns

With more snow expected on Friday, over 250 schools closed for the day with all counties in NI affected.

However, with thousands of people taking Friday off after last night's weather warnings, travel into Belfast itself was slower than usual, but without major problems once drivers were able to reach main roads.

Motorists are being warned of treacherous conditions and asked only to travel if absolutely necessary and the Met Office has a warning in place until 6pm amid warnings of heavy showers.

Flights were suspended at Belfast City Airport until noon while City of Derry Aiport and Belfast International Airport had cancelled all flights until further notice.

Ciaran Rogan from Translink said bus services were running but some were experiencing extreme difficulties with delays of up to an hour.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, he said that while trains were not so badly affected there were still delays of about 10 to 15 minutes with the Belfast to Londonderry line worst hit.

Meanwhile, the Glenshane Pass on the main road to Londonderry is described as extremely treacherous but only still passable with considerable care.

A Roads Service spokesman confirmed salting has been ongoing on an almost continuous basis since Thursday afternoon and extensive ploughing has also been employed with a focus on keeping main roads open for traffic.

Snow was recorded to be as thick as 20cm in some northern areas with windy conditions causing blizzards and drifting.

Later, temperatures are expected to plummet to -7C over the weekend with Met Office forecasters saying it was likely to be "disruptive".

The PSNI has urged drivers to only travel if absolutely necessary and the NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has advised people wanting to help clear footpaths of snow and ice, then they are unlikely to be held liable if there is an accident.

Across the border, a major Irish government briefing has been arranged as another bout of severe weather engulfs the State.

A weather warning from the Met Office said very cold wintry weather would continue into next week with ice by day and by night.

Further snow showers are expected today, mainly in Connacht, Ulster and West Munster, while total accumulations up to lunchtime were predicted to reach five to ten centimetres over Ulster and Connacht with the worst of the snow is expected for high ground, with the possibly some drifting, but totals of 2-5 cm were recroded elsewhere.

In response to the influx of freezing conditions, the Inter Agency Co-ordination Group on Severe Weather was meeting this morning in Dublin to discuss the matter.

(BMcC/GK)