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Snowfall hits flights and roads Snowfall hits flights and roads
(about 6 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 32 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 been working through a backlog left by having to close its runway. Ten flights were cancelled and others delayed. George Best Belfast City Airport had to work through a backlog of flights after closing its runway on Thursday.
Public transport company Translink has also warned of delays to services. Public transport company Translink also warned of delays to services.
Belfast Zoo also closed for the day, citing the heavy snowfall. The snowfalls, which mostly effected eastern counties of Northern Ireland, also closed down Belfast Zoo for the day.
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
Many schools closed for the day, mostly citing health and safety reasons. Many schools closed due to health and safety reasons.
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.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.
There were also minor skidding incidents involving buses bringing children to school. Parents were contacted to collect pupils who did turn up.There were also minor skidding incidents involving buses bringing children to school. Parents were contacted to collect pupils who did turn up.
Other schools cited boiler problems, resulting in classrooms being too cold. Other schools had problems with heating systems, resulting in classrooms being too cold.
Areas of high ground, especially in the north, were worst affected and snow ploughs were being used in those areas.Areas of high ground, especially in the north, were worst affected and snow ploughs were being used in those areas.
The M2 motorway into Belfast was described by police as being "bumper to bumper" from the A57 Templepatrick entrance.The M2 motorway into Belfast was described by police as being "bumper to bumper" from the A57 Templepatrick entrance.
Further snow showers are likelyFurther snow showers are likely
The Upper Crumlin Road and Hightown Road were also described as impassable, with police advising motorists to not go over the Cave Hill. The Upper Crumlin Road and Hightown Road were also described as impassable, with police advising motorists to not go over Cavehill.
BBC Northern Ireland weather forecaster Angie Phillips said the Met Office had a severe weather warning in force for Thursday for heavy snow. The forecast for Thursday night and Friday is cold and icy with temperatures as low as minus 4 Celsius in some rural areas.
"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.