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Northern Ireland hit by snow, sleet and strong winds Northern Ireland hit by snow, sleet and strong winds
(35 minutes later)
Snow sleet and strong winds have been affecting travel and electricity supplies in Northern Ireland. Forty thousand households are without power and about 70 schools in Northern Ireland are closed due to strong winds and snow.
More than 27,000 customers have lost electricity supplies due to storm force winds and snow across Northern Ireland.Certain areas have been brought to a standstill Travel has also been affected.
George Best Belfast City Airport's runway is closed and Belfast International Airport has warned that its flights may also be affected by the weather.George Best Belfast City Airport's runway is closed and Belfast International Airport has warned that its flights may also be affected by the weather.
Some roads have also been closed as are some schools. A number of roads have been closed. A full list of schools is available here.
Schools closed so far are Wallace High School in Lisburn, Methodist College, Belfast, St Kieran's Nursery School, Poleglass, Ashgrove Nursery School, Newtownabbey, Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, Harmony Hill Primary School, Lisburn, Antrim Grammar School, Moorfields Primary School, Ballymena and Fair Hill PS, Kinallen. The Roads Service said heavy snow accumulations have particularly affected the north east of Northern Ireland, with drifting of up to 40cms reported.
"Most routes have been salted three times over night with snow ploughing necessary on many routes," they said.
The following roads are closed: A27 Moyad Road, Spelga; A50 Moyallen Road, Gilford; C27 Lylehill Road, Templepatrick; B70 Ballymaconnely Road, Rasharkin; A23 Ballygowan Road, Castlereagh, closed at Roselawn Cemetery.
The A26 Tullyraine Road, Banbridge, and A44 Magheramore Road, Ballycastle, are closed due to fallen trees and the Carryduff-Ballinahinch Road due to fallen power lines.
All other routes are passable with care.
Northern Ireland Electricity said the damage to power supplies was concentrated in southern and eastern areas.Northern Ireland Electricity said the damage to power supplies was concentrated in southern and eastern areas.
"Damage has been caused by flying debris and high winds, including broken electricity lines and damage to poles and other equipment," NIE said."Damage has been caused by flying debris and high winds, including broken electricity lines and damage to poles and other equipment," NIE said.
"There may also be further faults which have not yet been reported to Northern Ireland Electricity and the adverse weather conditions, which could cause additional faults, are continuing."There may also be further faults which have not yet been reported to Northern Ireland Electricity and the adverse weather conditions, which could cause additional faults, are continuing.
"Customers who contact NIE by phone should listen fully to the recorded telephone messages which will provide the best and latest information available.""Customers who contact NIE by phone should listen fully to the recorded telephone messages which will provide the best and latest information available."
Ruth Morgan from Belfast City Airport has advised passengers to check with the airline before travelling to the airport.Ruth Morgan from Belfast City Airport has advised passengers to check with the airline before travelling to the airport.
"These contact details can be found on the airport website," she said."These contact details can be found on the airport website," she said.
"The airport will be updating passengers throughout the day across social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.""The airport will be updating passengers throughout the day across social media pages on Facebook and Twitter."
The Roads Service said heavy snow accumulations have particularly affected the north east of Northern Ireland, with drifting of up to 40cms reported.
"Most routes have been salted three times over night with snow ploughing necessary on many routes.
The following roads are closed: A8 Corrs Corner to Ballynure; A27 Moyad Road Spelga; A50 Moyallen Road Gilford and Old Belfast Road Newtownards.
The A26 Tullyraine Road Banbridge and Carryduff-Ballinahinch Road are closed due to a fallen tree and power lines respectively.
All other routes are passable with care. The worst affected routes include A36 Shaneshill Road, A42 Carnlough-Ballymena, A6 Glenshane Pass, A37 Coleraine Mountain Road.