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Snowfall hits flights and roads Snowfall hits flights and roads
(about 5 hours later)
Up to 10 centimetres of snow has fallen in some parts of Northern Ireland causing disruption to flights and forcing the closure of some schools. Up to 10 centimetres of snow has fallen in some parts of Northern Ireland causing disruption to flights and forcing the closure of 32 schools.
George Best Belfast City Airport has reopened its runway, but there have been a number of cancellations and delays. George Best Belfast City Airport has been working through a backlog left by having to close its runway. Ten flights were cancelled and others delayed.
Motorists should use extra care. The Shane's Hill Road between Ballymena and Larne is described as impassable.
Public transport company Translink has also warned of delays to services.Public transport company Translink has also warned of delays to services.
Belfast Zoo also closed for the day, citing the heavy snowfall.
SNOW PICTURE GALLERY In pictures: Snowfall Send your snow pictures to the BBC NI news website at nipics@bbc.co.uk - terms and conditions apply, see www.bbc.co.uk/termsSNOW PICTURE GALLERY In pictures: Snowfall Send your snow pictures to the BBC NI news website at nipics@bbc.co.uk - terms and conditions apply, see www.bbc.co.uk/terms
Areas of high ground, especially in the north, have been worst affected and snow ploughs are being used in these areas. Many schools closed for the day, mostly citing health and safety reasons.
Snow and ice is possible on all roads, especially minor and untreated routes. Wellington College in Belfast said that by 0845 GMT only 50 pupils and 14 staff had arrived in school and they believed there would not be enough staff to safely look after children.
The M2 motorway into Belfast is described by police as being "bumper to bumper" from the A57 Templepatrick entrance. There were also minor skidding incidents involving buses bringing children to school. Parents were contacted to collect pupils who did turn up.
Roads Other schools cited boiler problems, resulting in classrooms being too cold.
SCHOOL CLOSURES Newtownhamilton High School and Primary School Loughview Integrated PS, Castlereagh Cortamlet Primary School St Mary's Primary School, Granemore Foley Primary School, County Armagh St Francis of Assisi, Keady St Ita's, Aldewood Hill, Carryduff closed Lagan College, BelfastFairhhill Primary School, Kinallen Ballymacward Primary School, Stoneyford Cairnshilll Primary, BelfastSt Mary's Primary, Decamount, Castlewellan St Michael's Primary School, Finnis Millennium Integrated Primary, CarryduffSt Mary's Primary School, Cloughcor Listress PS, Slaughtmanus, CarryduffDarkley Primary School, Armagh Leadhill Primary School, Belfast St Theresa's Primary School, Glen Road, Belfast Wellington College, Belfast Holy Child Primary School, BelfastCastlederg High School Immaculate Conception College, Trench Road, LondonderrySt Bernard's Primary, RosettaMcKinney Primary school in DundrodGlenveigh Special School, Harberton Park, Belfast Areas of high ground, especially in the north, were worst affected and snow ploughs were being used in those areas.
The Upper Crumlin Road and Hightown Road also described as impassable, with police advising motorists to not go over the Cave Hill. The M2 motorway into Belfast was described by police as being "bumper to bumper" from the A57 Templepatrick entrance.
The Hilltown to Kilkeel Road is also impassable. Further snow showers are likely
Church Road in Holywood is been closed following an accident and the Hillhall Road is closed following an accident and is described as impassable at Drumbo. Traffic coming from Lisburn into Belfast is reportedly at a standstill. The Upper Crumlin Road and Hightown Road were also described as impassable, with police advising motorists to not go over the Cave Hill.
BBC Northern Ireland weather forecaster Angie Phillips said the Met Office has a severe weather warning in force for Thursday morning for heavy snow in places. BBC Northern Ireland weather forecaster Angie Phillips said the Met Office had a severe weather warning in force for Thursday for heavy snow.
"This is especially for higher ground across the north and east, where there'll be a few centimetres of snow, but even some lower lying areas could get a dusting," she said."This is especially for higher ground across the north and east, where there'll be a few centimetres of snow, but even some lower lying areas could get a dusting," she said.
Further snow showers are likely across Down and Armagh but it should become drier and brighter later.Further snow showers are likely across Down and Armagh but it should become drier and brighter later.
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