Potentially severe weather may cause disruption

Severe wintry weather conditions are forecast for the next few days, with heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds potentially making travel treacherous. People should keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared for disruption to their daily commute, allowing plenty of time when planning a journey. If you have to make a journey, you can get access to travel updates, advice and weather forecasts through nidirect.

Driving in snow and ice

Motorists need to take extra care during wintry conditions. The best advice to motorists is given in the Highway Code for Northern Ireland. When driving in icy or snowy weather:

• drive with care even if the roads have been gritted
• be prepared for the road conditions changing over relatively short distances
• keep well back from the road user in front as stopping distances can be 10 times greater than on dry roads
• take care when overtaking vehicles spreading salt or other de-icer, particularly if you are riding a motorcycle or cycle
• watch out for snowploughs which may throw out snow on either side
• do not overtake them unless the lane you intend to take has been cleared
• listen to travel bulletins and take note of variable message signs that may provide information about weather, road and traffic conditions ahead

You can get further advice at the page below:

• Driving in adverse weather conditions - The Highway Code (motoring section)

Traffic information

The TrafficWatch NI website (provided by Northern Ireland Roads Service) relays traffic information to the public. The site provides traffic bulletins, news, and access to strategically located traffic cameras.

You can read the latest local traffic bulletins by clicking on the following link:

• TrafficWatch NI website

Weather updates

The Met Office provides a range of information under the Public Weather Service, which produces weather forecasts to help you make informed decisions about day-to-day activities.

You can check for severe weather warnings for Northern Ireland at the following link to the Met Office website:

• Northern Ireland: severe weather warnings – Met Office website

Flooding advice

With heavy rain forecast for some parts of Northern Ireland, it might be useful to take note of the Flooding Incident Line:

• phone: 0300 2000 100
• Flooding in your area (property and housing section)

You can also find advice on nidirect about what to do if your house does suffer flood damage

• Emergency financial assistance if a flood happens (property and housing section)
• After a flood - making an insurance claim (property and housing section)

Bus and rail journeys

If you are travelling on public transport, whether bus or trains, you can contact Translink if you have any questions about your journey.

• Translink (contacts section)

More useful links

• Winter help and advice (leisure, home and community section)
• Preparing for and dealing with a power cut (newsroom section)
• Simple steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes (property and housing section)
• The Irish National Meteorological Service website