SOME FERRY sailings on the Irish Sea will to be cancelled today following adverse weather conditions over the past 24 hours.
Rain, sleet and snowy conditions affected Ulster, Leinster and east Connacht in particular yesterday. Many drivers in the east of the country experienced slippery road conditions yesterday following snow showers.
The Irish Sea sailing on the Stena Line 1.15pm express sailing from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead has been cancelled again today. The next sailings on this route are expected to be tomorrow at 1.15pm and 19.25pm. All other Stena Line services are expected to sail to schedule.
All Irish Ferries Swift sailings from Dublin Port to Holyhead have also been cancelled, although it is expected that all passengers will be accommodated on the company’s cruise service today, either at 8.05am or at 8.55pm.
Passengers are advised to contact the ferry companies for further information.
Met Éireann is forecasting a brighter day today with some sunny spells but scattered wintry showers will also occur in some parts, easing over the day. Top temperatures will range between 4 degrees and 8 degrees.
Tomorrow should be dry and bright for the most part with no more than a few isolated wintry showers. Temperatures will be a few degrees higher than in recent days, although it will still on the cool side.
Rain will spread from the southwest through tomorrow night and may be preceded in places by a little sleet or snow, mainly over high ground.
The rain will give way to showers on Friday, but some of the showers will be heavy and possibly thundery in places. Winds will decrease and become variable in direction.
Saturday will be brighter, with sunny periods and scattered wintry showers but it will feel cold in a fresh to strong northwest wind.
In Northern Ireland, there were treacherous conditions on many roads.
Particularly bad conditions were reported between Coleraine and Maghera and between Derry and Dungiven on the Glenshane Pass, while there were reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore.
A PSNI spokesman called on drivers to reduce their speed as snowfall and heavy rain were affecting a number of routes.
“Motorists are urged to reduce their speed and drive to suit the conditions,” he said.
The Strangford Road in Downpatrick was closed between Quoile Bridge and Saul Mills Road because of a landslide.
All PO Express sailings to and from Troon and Cairnryan have been cancelled today and passengers are to be accommodated on the nearest alternative sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. However, a note on the companys website last night warned that disruptions on this route were also anticipated.