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NI snow continues to cause havoc Weather continues to cause havoc
(about 1 hour later)
Snow is continuing to cause havoc on Northern Ireland's roads, although the Roads Service says all are passable with care. The weather is continuing to cause disruption across Northern Ireland, with reports of flooding in the aftermath of the snow.
Commuters travelling into Belfast faced large tailbacks as efforts continued to clear the snow. Commuters travelling into Belfast faced large tailbacks amid efforts to clear overnight snowfalls.
Several schools are closed and some prison visits cancelled. Buses have been suspended in some areas, particularly parts of County Down. Several schools were closed and some prison visits cancelled. Buses were suspended in some areas.
The police have called on motorists to be extremely cautious. Transport Minister Conor Murphy said more than 140 gritter drivers were at work trying to clear roads.
The George Best City Airport has re-opened after being closed for a time, but most departing flights are experiencing delays. He said roads would continue to be gritted until the conditions improved.
A motorist braves the elements in County Antrim "Roads Service crews and staff have made a huge effort to clear the snow," he said.
A motorist braved the elements in County Antrim
He said initial warnings from the Met Office forecast light snow flurries, but that more than 100mm of snow fell in many places.
"A fleet of salting lorries was deployed across Northern Ireland from three o'clock onwards yesterday.
"Initially gritters were spreading salt, but as the evening progressed snow blades were used to clear roads where the snow was deep.
"Crews worked continuously through the night, clearing snow and applying salt."
The DoE Roads Service said all roads were passable with care. The police have also urged caution.
Meanwhile, the George Best City Airport has re-opened after being closed for a time, but most departing flights are experiencing delays.
A number of incoming flights have also been cancelled.A number of incoming flights have also been cancelled.
Belfast International Airport is operational but is experiencing severe delays.Belfast International Airport is operational but is experiencing severe delays.
Passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.Passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.
About 600 households across Northern Ireland are still without electricity due to the weather.
Belfast Zoo is also closed.Belfast Zoo is also closed.
Counties Armagh, Antrim, Down and Londonderry were worst affected by the much heavier than anticipated fall. Counties Armagh, Antrim, Down and Londonderry were worst affected by the much heavier than anticipated fall of snow.
Colin Brown, network maintenance manager with the Roads Service, said his organisation was doing all it could to keep traffic flowing.
Daniel and Anna Lindsay enjoy the snow in Waringstown, County DownDaniel and Anna Lindsay enjoy the snow in Waringstown, County Down
"We've been salting the roads since half three yesterday afternoon, right through the evening and right through this morning.
"To try to keep roads free from snow, particularly after the traffic has gone home at night, is one of the difficulties we face. It needs the passage of traffic to interact with the salt to turn it into slush."
Weather experts say the snow has been caused by cold air from the Continent meeting rain over the North Sea.Weather experts say the snow has been caused by cold air from the Continent meeting rain over the North Sea.
BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said: "There has been a lot of snow overnight over the eastern side of Northern Ireland with up to 12cm in Belfast. There's been more snow for Cumbria and across a large part of Scotland. That will clear away for a time today.BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said: "There has been a lot of snow overnight over the eastern side of Northern Ireland with up to 12cm in Belfast. There's been more snow for Cumbria and across a large part of Scotland. That will clear away for a time today.
"There will be more snow from the west for Northern Ireland this afternoon and Scotland this evening. There will be several centimetres, especially over the high ground. "There will be more snow from the west for Northern Ireland this afternoon and Scotland this evening. There will be several centimetres, especially over the high ground."
"The rest of the UK will be fine. It will be 2-3C across northern parts and we could get up to 8-9C in the south."
You can send your weather pictures to nipics@bbc.co.uk. Read the terms and conditions You can send your weather pictures to nipics@bbc.co.uk. Read the terms and conditions