A Met Office meteorologist is to work in Northern Ireland throughout the winter months to provide detailed forecasting and advice to Transport NI staff.

Meteorologist Tony Baker hails from Loup, just outside Magherafelt and has almost 30 years experience with the Met Office.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: "Forecasting the weather is a complex issue particularly in areas such as Northern Ireland where conditions can change and worsen very quickly.

"During the winter, almost 300 staff and over 120 gritters are on standby to ensure the main roads are salted, helping drivers to cope with wintry conditions. Gritting the roads is a major operation, with some 7,000 kilometres of main roads being salted in just over three hours, across Northern Ireland, at a cost of approximately £80,000 per night.

"That is why detailed and accurate forecasting is hugely important in ensuring that my staff are able to take informed decisions on when to grit. That is also why I visited the Met Office earlier this year to see what additional help they could provide."

Mr Baker said: "It is great to be working in Northern Ireland again. One of the key aims of this three month trial is show the benefits embedded forecasters can bring to regions such as Northern Ireland.

"I started work this week and am currently looking at how I can best help all those staff who provide the winter service programme here. In particular, I will be focusing on decisions around when to salt by providing more detail around the forecasts specific to Northern Ireland."

(IT/CD)