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Motorists warned of snow and rain More weather disruption predicted
(about 3 hours later)
Motorists have been warned that heavy snow and rain is making driving conditions treacherous on many roads in the west and north west of NI. The Roads Service in the north west of Northern Ireland is preparing for potential blizzard conditions later on Tuesday.
Conditions are said to be particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera and also between Londonderry and Dungiven on the Glenshane Pass. The Met office is predicting heavy rain and snow with biting gales.
There are also reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore. "The rain is likely to become less, but only to be replaced by the heavy snow," the Roads Service's Keith Cradden said.
Colin Brown, of the Roads Service, said they expected the weather to get worse throughout the day. Meanwhile, a tree has fallen on the Belfast to Bangor train line, close to Marino station. It has caused severe delays.
"It's been a very difficult night on the roads," he said. The weather has also hit football fixtures with the Irish Cup replay between Newry City and Loughgall off along with the Coleraine v Portadown and Distillery v Ballymena league matches.
"We had a combination of rain and snow, with some of our teams dealing with localised flooding. Conditions
"In other areas, we were out salting the roads, particularly in the northern and western counties. Earlier, conditions were said to be particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera and also between Londonderry and Dungiven on the Glenshane Pass.
"We are getting geared up for difficult day of rain turning to snow as we progress through the day and into the afternoon and evening." There were also reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore.
Looking ahead, Mr Cradden said: "We will obviously have our gritting lorries and they they will be equipped if necessary with snow ploughs.
"We've also been in touch with rural contractors who we ask to keep the rural roads clear - the non-gritted network clear."
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning and has said heavy rain could cause flooding in many areas.The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning and has said heavy rain could cause flooding in many areas.
The Strangford Road in Downpatrick has also been closed between Quoile Bridge and Saul Mills Road because of a land slide.The Strangford Road in Downpatrick has also been closed between Quoile Bridge and Saul Mills Road because of a land slide.
All P&O Express sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled due to the weather, however, passengers will be transferred to conventional ferry sailings.All P&O Express sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled due to the weather, however, passengers will be transferred to conventional ferry sailings.
Stena sailings between Belfast and Stranraer have also been cancelled.Stena sailings between Belfast and Stranraer have also been cancelled.
The company has said it is unlikely there will be any sailings on Tuesday and there is a strong possibility Wednesday's sailings will also be affected.The company has said it is unlikely there will be any sailings on Tuesday and there is a strong possibility Wednesday's sailings will also be affected.