Yellow warning for snow and wind in Northern Ireland as Storm Eunice arrives

Glenshane Pass this morning Credit: UTV

A yellow warning is in place across Northern Ireland for snow as Storm Eunice hits the UK.

The warning for snow came into force at 3am and is expected to end at 6pm today.

There is also a yellow warning for wind covering eastern parts of Northern Ireland.

It came into force at 7am and is also expected to last until 6pm today.

Met Office map showing weather warnings in place across Northern Ireland as Storm Eunice hits. Credit: Met Office

The Glenshane Pass between Belfast and Londonderry remained open this morning, with tractors, snow ploughs and gritters helping to keep the road clear.

  • WATCH: UTV spoke to one local tractor driver who helped keep the road clear

The Department for Infrastructure has warned that the weather could lead to debris on the roads, fallen trees and spray or large waves on exposed and vulnerable coastal areas.

It says it will salt the main routes with a team of around 130 gritters, along with 12 specialist snow blowers.

Arrangements are also in place to enlist the help of contractors and local farmers to assist in efforts with snow clearing operations on local roads.

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The public are being warned of possible traffic disruption, with people being asked to consider their journeys when travelling.

The Department says it will continue to check and clear road gullies and drainage, along with monitoring water levels and tides during the storm.

Derrygonnelly in County Fermanagh Credit: Gerry McGrath

A flood incident line is open and can be contacted on 0300 2000 100.

It says that it has also informed Regional Community Resilience Groups for them to make appropriate preparations.

Disruption is also expected in the Republic of Ireland, with schools and colleges across the country being closed, as officials there warned of a "high-impact, multi-hazard weather event."

A more severe red warning is in place in the Republic in Cork, Kerry, Clare and Waterford, with an orange warning for snow in place in the north and west, including Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon.

Officials in the Republic have warned that the country will likely awake on Friday morning to damage and disruption, including fallen trees, power outages and coastal flooding.

Gardai have urged the public to heed warnings for their local areas.

Those living in the worst-affected areas have been advised to remain indoors for the duration of the storm and to remain cautious even when the worst conditions have abated.

The latest warning comes after Storm Dudley caused disruption as it swept across Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

Whilst yellow warnings for weather are in force across Northern Ireland two rare red weather warnings for wind are place across large parts of the south of England and Wales.

The rare highest alert – meaning a high impact is very likely – was issued just before 4am to run from 10am until 3pm on Friday due to fears of the storm “causing significant disruption and dangerous conditions due to extremely strong winds”, the Met Office said.

A second rare red weather warning for wind, meaning there is a danger to life, has been issued ahead of the arrival of Storm Eunice, covering millions of people across the East of England, including London.