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Northern Ireland snow: Amber warning in place Northern Ireland snow: Transport and roads affected
(about 20 hours later)
Police have advised motorists to take extra care due to heavy snow in some parts of Northern Ireland. Snow showers are continuing to affect the road network across Northern Ireland on Thursday and there is also the risk of ice on roads.
An amber weather warning for snow, advising the public to be prepared for some travel disruption, came into force at 17:00 GMT on Wednesday. More than 100 schools have been closed.
Up to 10 cm of snow is forecast in some areas, with even more over the high ground, especially in the north west. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it was "experiencing difficulty in responding to some emergency calls" due to the weather.
The amber warning is to remain in place until 11:00 GMT on Thursday, with some morning rush-hour disruption expected. "We would ask that people only call 999 in a real emergency and to remain patient if there is a delay in ambulance response," the NIAS said.
'Sub-zero' It said NIAS staff would "continue to prioritise calls on the basis of clinical need".
Blizzards and snowfalls were forecast for Wednesday afternoon, with the north and west expected to be hit the worst. A number of Translink Metro bus services were also affected on Thursday due to the snow.
There was heavy snow on parts of the main road between Belfast and Londonderry, especially on high ground at the Glenshane Pass. The Met Office said a yellow warning of snow and ice was in place until 11:00 GMT on Friday.
AA Roadwatch warned drivers of reports of heavy snow around Newry, County Down. Transport NI, formerly known as Roads Service, said that strong winds are also likely to combine with the snow to make conditions more difficult.
Transport NI, formerly known as Roads Service, said in a statement that snow showers continued to affect its road network on Wednesday evening, adding that "with sub-zero road surface temperatures there is also the risk of ice on roads". It said salting and ploughing operations are continuing.
"Salting of roads on the scheduled network has been ongoing from this morning but there remains the risk of salt wash-off due to the snow showers," it said.
A small number of Translink's Metro bus services in Belfast were affected during the evening rush-hour.
The bus and rail company said its 7B, 81/82 and 57 metro services were omitting certain stops due to poor weather conditions, and it posted the latest information on its website.
There may also be some disruption to electricity supplies later due to snow and ice building on power lines.
Arctic winds will reach Northern Ireland and there could be hail, sleet and even thunder and lightning along the coast, the Met Office has said.
Police have advised drivers to slow down, put their lights on, leave more room to stop than usual and brake gently to avoid skidding.Police have advised drivers to slow down, put their lights on, leave more room to stop than usual and brake gently to avoid skidding.
"Drive slowly on snow in the highest gear possible," a PSNI statement said."Drive slowly on snow in the highest gear possible," a PSNI statement said.
"Do not assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads," it added."Do not assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads," it added.
Places in the south east of Northern Ireland that do not have much snow will still be bitterly cold and will be at risk of ice, forecasters have said.Places in the south east of Northern Ireland that do not have much snow will still be bitterly cold and will be at risk of ice, forecasters have said.
The cold weather will continue throughout Thursday and it will remain very cold until the beginning of next week.The cold weather will continue throughout Thursday and it will remain very cold until the beginning of next week.
Check out the latest travel news for Northern IrelandCheck out the latest travel news for Northern Ireland
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up-to-date with the latest updates on BBC News NI's Live pages.For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up-to-date with the latest updates on BBC News NI's Live pages.
Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Ulster and follow @BBCNITravel.Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Ulster and follow @BBCNITravel.
Below are a number of other traffic information sources.Below are a number of other traffic information sources.
Trafficwatch NIITrafficwatch NII
Transport NITransport NI
TranslinkTranslink
@PSNITraffic@PSNITraffic