Northern Ireland weather New Year's Day: Met Office issues Yellow Warning for ice - with band of rain, sleet and hill snow expected

File picture shows a snow plough and gritter clearing roads. The Woodhead Pass has re-opened. Picture date: Saturday November 23, 2024. Photo: Andrew Milligan PAplaceholder image
File picture shows a snow plough and gritter clearing roads. The Woodhead Pass has re-opened. Picture date: Saturday November 23, 2024. Photo: Andrew Milligan PA

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for ice across Northern Ireland today - with a band of rain sleet and hill snow expected.

The warning is in place from 4pm today, 1 January, until 10am tomorrow, 2 January.

It applies to all six counties of Northern ireland.

The forecaster says that icy surfaces may lead to some difficult travel conditions.

File picture shows a snow plough and gritter clearing roads. The Woodhead Pass has re-opened. Picture date: Saturday November 23, 2024. Photo: Andrew Milligan PAplaceholder image
File picture shows a snow plough and gritter clearing roads. The Woodhead Pass has re-opened. Picture date: Saturday November 23, 2024. Photo: Andrew Milligan PA

It warns to expect some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths and some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

"A band of rain, sleet and hill snow will clear southwards during Wednesday afternoon and evening," it warned.

"As skies clear in its wake, and with standing water following earlier rain in places, ice is likely to form quite quickly on untreated surfaces, leading to difficult travel conditions.

Wintry showers are also likely along some north-facing coasts overnight, increasing the chance of ice in places."

The Met Office suggests leaving five minutes earlier than normal for any journeys and to try to stick to main roads and footpaths, which are more likely to have been treated.

News you can trust since 1737
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice