More than 200,000 homes in Belfast were affected by a blackout, as Ed Thomas reports
Further warnings have been issued for snow, sleet and rain in parts of the UK, as the wintry weather continues.
After snow fell on Friday disrupting travel, schools and power supplies, more snow is forecast overnight into Saturday across central and northern parts of the UK.
Travel could be disrupted, and the snow is expected to spread to the South and South East of England.
On Friday a body was found after a landslip under a house in Cornwall.
The landslip happened after torrential rain in Looe.
The Met Office said the heavy rain in the South West would ease on Saturday.
Friday's weather saw hundreds of schools closed across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
In Belfast more than 200,000 electricity customers were affected by a blackout on Friday evening.
Winter weather in spring
- Caused by persistent easterly winds from frozen continental Europe which have chilled North Sea to 4C or 5C
- Average temperature is currently around 3C - normally should be nearer 6C
- Coldest March on record was in 1962 with a mean temperature of 1.9C, which will not be beaten this year
- Could be colder than the more recent cold March of 1987 with a mean temperature of 3.3C
- Forecasters say the cold could hang on until the bitter end of March
Northern Ireland Electricity said that at one stage the blackout swept across the whole of Belfast after an issue with the high voltage transmission network. All but about 40,000 properties had had power restored by late evening, it added.
It blamed high winds, cable icing and trees bringing down lines and breaking poles.
Julia Carson, NIE communications manager, said; "The severe weather is set to continue through tonight and into [Saturday] and we are likely to see further damage to network which will affect electricity supplies."
Slow-moving bandFor Saturday the Met Office warned that there was "continued risk of significant disruption" from snow.
Its warning covered many central parts of the UK and involved a slow-moving band of rain, sleet and snow.
It said further significant snowfall was likely to accumulate on hills, with continued drifting and blizzard conditions in strong south-easterly winds.
Heavy snow in central Scotland did not deter some
At lower levels, some areas could see a further 5-10cm (2in to 4in) of snow, though exact location remain "very uncertain at this stage", it said.
Northern Ireland police warned of road closures due to snow, stranded vehicles and fallen trees.
In England, road users were advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel on Saturday.
The Highways Agency said the snow forecast for northern England, the Midlands and the East of England meant motorists should take extra care when travelling.
In Scotland, weather warnings had also prompted police and road authorities to warn drivers to take care, particularly in Lothian and Borders, Tayside, Grampian and Highlands and Western Isles.
Police also said motorist should avoid travelling by road in the Dumfries and Galloway area as conditions were "extremely dangerous".
Residents of Arran have been warned that they may be without power for up to three days, prompting Scottish Hydro have sent a portable generator to the island.
By late on Friday, power companies said a total of 14,000 customers in Scotland were left without power.
In Argyll, 10,000 households have been affected, as was Bute, with more cut off in south-west Scotland.
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9

Map Key
Land
Cloud
Lakes, Rivers & Sea
Fog

Light
Heavy
Frost

Light
Heavy
Pressure Fronts
Cold
Warm
Occluded
Rain

Light
Heavy
Extreme
Snow

Light
Heavy
Temperature tab only
Temperature (°C)


Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét