Map
Between 06:00 on Sat 9 Dec 2023 and 23:45 on Sat 9 Dec 2023
Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone
Strong winds perhaps leading to some transport disruption.
A band of heavy rain will give a risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption on Saturday.
- Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely
- Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer
- Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely
- Some short term loss of power and other services is possible
- It’s possible that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves
- Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
Further details
Winds will increase in the west during Saturday morning then across other areas through the afternoon. Gusts of 45 to 55 mph are likely quite widely, with 60-70 mph possible along Irish Sea coasts. Winds then easing slowly from the west through the evening. What should I do? Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Heavy persistent rain will spread east across Northern Ireland from early Saturday morning, clearing by early evening. Accumulations of widely 20-30 mm and locally 40-55 mm over the hills are expected. What should I do? Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Positive temperatures with no winter hazards forecast - no salting of the scheduled road network is planned for Friday evening / Saturday morning.
The Department continues to work to reopen roads that have been closed due to the recent flooding. With forecasted low temperatures gritting may take place however due to road closures it may not be possible to treat all the scheduled routes and motorists are asked to take extra care, particularly while driving on untreated roads
Read more winter service information here.
Current Incidents
- Co Antrim - the A26 Lisnevenagh Road has now been reopened following a serious road traffic collision at lunchtime Friday.
Traffic News
Comber - the A22 Comber By Pass remains closed between Glen Link and the Belfast Road due to a serious road traffic collision earlier this afternoon. Indications are the road will remain closed for sometime (last update 20:49)
- No other reports of any incidents or delays
- The U0360 Drumgiven Road Ballynahich been closed due to flooding
- Castlewellan – the Carnreagh Road, Castlewellan is closed due to flooding. Road users are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their journey
- The Antrim Coast Road, between Carnlough and Garron Tower is currently flooded.
The following road closures are in place after the recent weather warnings.
Co Down
- A2 Shore Road, Rostrevor – Temporary traffic lights in place to allow safe passage of traffic due to land slide.
- B27 Kilkeel Road, Hilltown – Temporary traffic lights in place to allow safe passage of traffic due to verge collapse.
- B3 Ballynaskeagh Road – Temporary traffic lights in place to allow safe passage of traffic between Bronte Road and Emdale Road due to verge collapsed at two separate locations.
- B3 Legannany Road between Loughbrickland and Scarva – Road closed between Old Mill Road junction to Lisnagade Road junction. Due to damage/collapse of a section of masonry retaining/parapet wall into the adjacent river
Co Tyrone
- Aughnacloy : Rehaghey road : culvert collapse and road slip
- U413_03 Clarmore Lane, Clogher is closed due to extensive wash-off due to flooding
Co Antrim
- Dunadry Rd and Steeple Rd at M2 bridge all closed.
Road users are advised of the following Lane Closure on the A5 Tullyvar Rd Aughnacloy.
The Lane Closure will be in place from the A5/A4 Ballygawley Roundabout to the U318 Loughans Rd, Aughnacloy
The Lane Closure will be Commencing from Monday 04 December 2023 at 09:30 hrs until
Friday 08 December 2023 at 16:30 hrs and will operate daily Weekdays Only.
This closure is required for Carriageway Patching.
Traffic Control will be in Place - Traffic lights/STOP/GO.
Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey during this Lane Closure.
A major road improvement scheme at the Prince William Road/ Ballymacash Road junction in Lisburn will commence Monday 17 July 2023.
The improvement work, which will be carried out by developers following planning permission for residential development in the area, includes the widening of the Prince William Road , extension of the existing underpass at the location and provision of a new traffic signal junction at Ballymacash Road including the provision of PUFFIN controlled pedestrian crossings within the junction layout. The scheme will take approximately nine months to fully complete.
Given the busy nature of Prince William Road, to construct the scheme safely it will be necessary to close the Prince William Road Northbound from Knockmore Road to Nettlehill Road from 17 July for six weeks. A diversion for traffic will be in place via the Antrim Road, Pond Park Road and Derriaghy Road.
Ballymacash Road (west ) will also close for two weeks and Ballymacash (east) into Lisburn will close for up to six months from the 17 July.
From September the Prince William Road will revert to two-way traffic with the remainder of the works completed with a mixture of two-way traffic and off peak lane closures.
A temporary 30mph speed limit will also be in force during construction of the scheme.
Further road closure will be required towards the end of the scheme for surfacing of the junction, however these will be planned to minimise the effect on general traffic.
Whilst the Department has carefully planned these works and associated traffic management with the contractor in order to minimise inconvenience to the public, road users should expect some delays and allow additional time when planning a journey.
Road users are asked to comply with the temporary traffic restrictions and to drive with care when travelling through the works. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
The contractor has made significant progress implementing this scheme and the initial programme has been revised below: -
A carriageway and footway resurfacing scheme on A23 Moneyreagh Road, Moneyreagh will commence on Monday 11 September 2023.
The resurfacing scheme, which extends 100 metres south of Knockbracken Road / Gransha Road junction to Hillsborough Road, will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users.
To facilitate the scheme, it will be necessary to implement the works in two separate phases.
- Phase 1 – 100 metres south of Knockbracken Road / Gransha Road junction to the re-aligned Hillsborough Road will require weekday road closures for the duration of the works from Monday 11 September 2023 until Tuesday 5 December 2023, between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm.
- Phase 2 – re-aligned Hillsborough Road to the south side of the original Hillsborough Road junction will require weekday lane closures (using 4 Way Traffic Control) from Monday 13 November 2023 until Friday 22 December 2023, between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm. A continuous weekend road closure to facilitate carriageway resurfacing from Saturday 2 December 2023 at 7.00am until Sunday 3 December 2023 at 7.00pm has been postponed, a new date for these works to be confirmed.
During these times, a signed diversionary route will be in place using the A7 Belfast Road / Saintfield Road - A24 Saintfield Road - A55 Upper Knockbreda Road - A23 Ballygowan Road and vice versa, with local access available using B178 Hillsborough Road / Comber Road where operations permit. Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times.
The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience, however road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions.
Subject to favourable weather conditions, all work will be completed by 22 December 2023 however, the Department will keep the public informed of any change.
All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.
The information on this website is provided by DfI (Department for Infrastructure). DfI is the sole roads authority responsible for all public roads, footways, bridges and street lights in Northern Ireland.