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Motorists warned of icy weather | Motorists warned of icy weather |
(10 minutes later) | |
A severe weather warning is in place for motorists in Northern Ireland as the cold spell continues to make driving conditions treacherous. | A severe weather warning is in place for motorists in Northern Ireland as the cold spell continues to make driving conditions treacherous. |
Rain, sleet and snow fell overnight on already-icy roads and pavements, and overnight temperatures plunged to -5 C in rural areas. | Rain, sleet and snow fell overnight on already-icy roads and pavements, and overnight temperatures plunged to -5 C in rural areas. |
Colin Brown from the Roads Service said ice-free roads could not be guaranteed. | Colin Brown from the Roads Service said ice-free roads could not be guaranteed. |
"The difficulty we have is rain. It can affect the amount of salt we put down and the effect it has on it," he said. | "The difficulty we have is rain. It can affect the amount of salt we put down and the effect it has on it," he said. |
"Just be very wary. Motorists at all times should be appreciative that conditions change and they change very quickly." | "Just be very wary. Motorists at all times should be appreciative that conditions change and they change very quickly." |
Snow could disrupt rush-hour traffic, and the weather warning is in place until 1200 GMT on Tuesday. | Snow could disrupt rush-hour traffic, and the weather warning is in place until 1200 GMT on Tuesday. |
Some schools have closed because of the weather. | Some schools have closed because of the weather. |
Blackwater Integrated in Downpatrick is closed due to heating difficulties, Dundonald High School in Belfast has closed because of a burst water main and a burst pipe has led to the closure of Lisnagarvey High School in Lisburn. | Blackwater Integrated in Downpatrick is closed due to heating difficulties, Dundonald High School in Belfast has closed because of a burst water main and a burst pipe has led to the closure of Lisnagarvey High School in Lisburn. |
Donaghey Primary School, near Dungannon, will also be closed on Tuesday. | |
Causeway closed | Causeway closed |
On Monday, icy weather forced the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge to shut. | On Monday, icy weather forced the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge to shut. |
In Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, parents have been urged to prevent their children from playing on a frozen lake. | In Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, parents have been urged to prevent their children from playing on a frozen lake. |
Police in the area issued a warning after officers spotted footprints and bicycle tracks on and around the Round Lake in the village. | Police in the area issued a warning after officers spotted footprints and bicycle tracks on and around the Round Lake in the village. |
The Giant's Causeway has been closed because of the weather | The Giant's Causeway has been closed because of the weather |
"While playing on the frozen surface may seem like a novelty, the risks shouldn't be underestimated," a police spokeswoman said. | "While playing on the frozen surface may seem like a novelty, the risks shouldn't be underestimated," a police spokeswoman said. |
"There is no uniformity in the formation of ice and while it may seem sturdy and able to support weight, it can become very thin very quickly." | "There is no uniformity in the formation of ice and while it may seem sturdy and able to support weight, it can become very thin very quickly." |
Payments | Payments |
As the icy conditions continue, the government announced it would make a second round of cold weather payments. | As the icy conditions continue, the government announced it would make a second round of cold weather payments. |
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said on Monday that an additional £25 would be paid automatically to about 166,000 people on low incomes to help with heating costs. | Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said on Monday that an additional £25 would be paid automatically to about 166,000 people on low incomes to help with heating costs. |
Anyone in the agricultural industry who needs urgent help is being asked to contact the Roads Service. | Anyone in the agricultural industry who needs urgent help is being asked to contact the Roads Service. |
Last month was the coldest December in almost 30 years, according to readings taken at the Armagh Observatory. | Last month was the coldest December in almost 30 years, according to readings taken at the Armagh Observatory. |
The mean temperature was 1.5 C, the coldest average measurement since 1981. | The mean temperature was 1.5 C, the coldest average measurement since 1981. |
However, December was sunnier and drier than normal with 53.3 hours of sunshine, about 40% more than normal for the time of the year. | However, December was sunnier and drier than normal with 53.3 hours of sunshine, about 40% more than normal for the time of the year. |