Yellow weather warning for snow over parts of Northern Ireland

Areas in counties Antrim and Down are expected to get several centimetres of snow overnight and into Wednesday morning.

The yellow warning for snow is valid from just after midnight until 10am tomorrow.

According to the Met office “outbreaks of rain are likely to turn to sleet or snow in places later on Tuesday night and during Wednesday morning, giving local accumulations”.

“This will be primarily, but not exclusively, over the higher ground where 2 to 6 cm may accumulate, although parts of the warning area may escape. At lower elevations, a slushy cover of up to a centimetre or so is possible. Please be aware of the potential for some difficult driving conditions overnight and into the Wednesday morning rush hour.”

A spokesman said: “The situation is finely balanced, and the precipitation may remain as rain over parts of the area. This warning is likely to be updated.”

According to the Met office website, the forecast for tomorrow is “rain and snow clearing eastwards by mid-morning then drier and brighter with sunny spells developing in the afternoon, although a few showers in west”.

Meanwhile the outlook for Thursday, also on the Met office website, is “light or moderate southwest winds” with a maximum temperature of 5°C.”

It also predicts “Sunny spells and wintry showers” on Thursday.