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Northern Ireland has experienced significant disruptions due to a yellow snow and ice warning, which has affected transportation and school operations across the region. The Met Office forecasts that snow showers will gradually lessen on Monday, with the weather warning set to expire by midday. However, the impact of the weekend’s wintry conditions is still being felt, with several schools opting to remain closed as a precaution.
Among those schools closed is St Patrick and St Brigid’s College in Claudy, where Principal Phillip McCullagh decided to shut the facility on Sunday afternoon. With around 500 students and staff affected, Mr. McCullagh explained that a thorough risk assessment and coordination with neighboring schools revealed “too many risks involved” to keep the school open. He emphasized the severity of the conditions, noting that clearing the premises and footpaths would require significant time. “It is very, very bad in terms of it will take a long time for us to clear our site but also the footpaths as well. And again it’s as bad as I’ve seen it,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
Travel delays have been widespread as Translink reports disruptions to all routes, with some services restricted to major roads only. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged drivers to exercise caution, especially in areas less likely to have been treated with grit. They advised motorists to clear windscreens thoroughly, reduce speed, and maintain greater distance between vehicles. Meanwhile, Simon Wells from the Northern Ireland Road Service highlighted ongoing efforts to manage road safety through nearly continuous salting operations over the weekend, covering approximately 28% of the network which accommodates 80% of traffic. Despite this, some lanes remain snowy, particularly on dual carriageways where fewer vehicles have traveled.
Air travel has also been affected, with multiple cancellations at Belfast International and Belfast City airports. Flights arriving from Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, and Liverpool were canceled, along with outbound journeys to destinations including Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and London Luton. Passengers were advised to check their airline for current updates. Additionally, public transport services have faced interruptions; the 0645 GMT X1 bus from Dublin to Belfast was canceled, with other routes operating on treated roads or not running as usual, particularly around Magherafelt, Cookstown, and Ballymena. The local councils have made adjustments as well, with some community centers closed and recycling centers opening later than usual in Derry City and Strabane.
In the Republic of Ireland, similar yellow warnings for snow, ice, and low temperatures have been in effect. Met Éireann maintains the alert until 11:00 local time on Monday, covering parts of Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, and Connacht for snow and ice, while separate advisories are in place for low temperature and ice risks across several counties including Dublin, Kildare, and Munster. These measures reflect ongoing caution as the region navigates challenging winter weather conditions
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