Remains of fatal US storm to pass over Northern Ireland

Storm Jonas brought snow and powerful winds to the east coast of America, resulting in at least 33 deaths according to US network the Weather Channel.

John Lee, a forecaster for private weather agency MeteoGroup, said “Storm Jonas is hot on the heels of Ireland now”, and looked set to bring strong winds to the Province – gusting at up to 60mph in exposed parts – and rain.

This should begin clearing in the west first of all from Tuesday morning and into the afternoon, he said, adding that temperatures could reach as high as 13C.

The last few days have been unusually warm, with a reading of 14C recorded in Magilligan at about 9am on Monday – several degrees higher than the average, and something Mr Lee termed “exceptional”. The top UK temperature for the day was 16C at Lossiemouth in north Scotland.