Freezing rain expected overnight as alerts and updates are issued for Derry and Donegal

There were snow, sleet, frost and low temperatures across the North West on Saturday and into Sunday, with Monday also expected to be another cold day with sleet and snow showers.

In Donegal, the council told motorists to avoid travel if possible, as freezing rain has been predicted between 5pm on Sunday until 11am on Monday.

A spokesperson said: “All routes may not be treated and driving could be treacherous. Avoid travel if possible.”

North West Regional College also confirmed that all classes would be taught remotely on Monday.

"Due to current adverse weather conditions, all scheduled classes at NWRC on Monday, 5th January, will be delivered online/remotely.

“College buildings will remain open and support services will be available online.”

Further updates will be posted on their social media www.facebook.com/nwrc.college.

The Education Authority said its Transport Service ‘plans to operate as normal on Monday.’

A spokesperson said: “However, there may be some disruption or delays to routes as a result of road conditions. For transport queries, contact the Transport Helpline: Tel: 028 9598 5959[Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm].”

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that all Council cemeteries were closed over the weekend because of the weather and will remain closed on Monday morning and ‘will only open once it’s safe to do so.’

“Our staff will continue to prioritise burials.

“Some of our recycling centres were also forced to close over the weekend as a result of the weather conditions and we are anticipating some delays to their opening on Monday morning. We would ask members of the public to please be patient and understanding as services resume when it is safe to do so.

“For residents, whose household bins are due to be collected on Monday, please be advised that our crews will be operating, however, delays are expected and it is likely that some areas may not be accessible due to road conditions. Where bins are missed, we will endeavour to return and collect them as soon as it is safe to do so.

“The public is also advised to exercise caution when using public parks and open spaces and to keep themselves updated with the latest weather forecasts, particularly if planning to travel.

A spokesperson for the Council added: “The health and safety of our staff and the public remain our top priority. While our teams will be working hard to maintain essential services, the current weather conditions mean some disruption is unavoidable. We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding as we continue to monitor conditions and restore services as safely and quickly as possible.”

Further updates will be provided throughout the day on Monday.

Donegal County Council said it ‘will endeavor to treat as many routes as possible if safe to do so.’

"The public are advised to take extreme care particularly overnight and tomorrow morning. Freezing rain occurs when rain hits a frozen surface and freezes on impact causing very slippy surfaces similar to black ice and is not very common”.

In its forecast for Derry, the Met office said there will be clear intervals and occasional sleet and snow showers through the evening and overnight, further accumulations mainly over northern high ground, mainly dry in the south. Icy. Windy at times, especially around the coasts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.

They said that Monday will be ‘another cold day with sleet and snow showers, again fresh accumulations mainly over northern high ground, but showers becoming isolated later with sunny spells. “Frost and ice in the evening. Maximum temperature 3 °C.”

The outlook for Tuesday to Thursday is ‘a changeable and mostly cold period with occasional bands of rain, sleet and mainly hill snow, but some sunnier drier spells too.’

There is a Status Yellow warning for snow and ice for Derry and all of Northern Ireland until Midday on Monday. Donegal’s Status Yellow warning is issued until 11am.