UPDATE: Snow has blanketed the hills of Belfast, with Northern Ireland bracing for its coldest night of the season. As temperatures plunge below freezing, residents are advised to prepare for a significant drop, with some areas expecting lows of -5°C tonight.
Just reported, Altnahinch Filters in County Antrim recorded a chilling -2.8°C on Wednesday night, marking the coldest temperatures so far this winter. The Met Office warns that tonight’s conditions could lead to widespread frost and icy patches across the region.
As evening approaches, a mostly clear sky is expected, but isolated showers may occur. Residents are urged to be cautious as icy conditions can cause travel disruptions, particularly on untreated surfaces.
The forecast indicates that tomorrow morning will start dry and cold, but cloud will increase through the day, bringing rain by the evening. Maximum temperatures will only reach around 6°C, a stark contrast to the freezing conditions of the night.
Across the UK, snow and ice warnings remain in effect as the cold northerly air mass continues to dominate the weather pattern. Chief Forecaster Steve Willington highlighted that further wintry showers are likely, particularly overnight. He stated, “We’re still in the grip of a cold, Arctic air mass today and into Friday, and that means further wintry showers for some, and ice, particularly overnight.”
Temperatures will continue to drop, with rural parts of Scotland potentially seeing lows of -12°C. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, as the risk of ice forming on roads could lead to hazardous driving conditions.
What to Expect Next: As the weekend approaches, Saturday morning is forecast to be mostly dry, but clouds and rain are expected to sweep in during the afternoon. Sunday and Monday look to remain cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain, bringing some relief from the bitter cold.
Residents across Northern Ireland and the UK are encouraged to stay updated on weather warnings and to take necessary precautions against the harsh winter conditions.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
