The calm after the storm as gales ease, but prepare for temperatures to plunge
THE Met Office says the UK can expect “real change” in the weather over the next few days as a series of low pressure systems line up in the Atlantic before making their way towards Ireland and Britain.
As Northern Ireland and the Republic continue to deal with the aftermath of Storm Eleanor at the beginning of this week, NIE reported last night that around 50 homes and businesses were still without power.
At the height of the storm on Tuesday, 25,000 properties here suffered power cuts.
The subsequent bad weather on Wednesday hampered the efforts of NIE Networks crews to bring the electricity grid back up to full capacity.
As of last night, the small number of customers who remained without power were in areas around Newry, Armagh, Comber and Banbridge.
Sara McClintock, communications manager at NIE Networks, assured those still affected yesterday that the company’s incident centres would remain open until power was restored to all its customers.
“We have mobilised additional call agents to deal with any queries customers may have regarding the repair process in their area. If you are still without power then please get in touch on 03547 643 643,” she said.
Despite the passing of Storm Eleanor by Wednesday morning, Northern Ireland saw occasional heavy rain yesterday, especially homes and businesses in Northern Ireland were still without power
last night
Andrew Upton and Barry Kelly from the National Trust standing inside a hut at Mount Stewart destroyed by a falling tree (top), and traffic at a flooded Short Strand in Belfast
across the northern parts. The Met Office said that after the very blustery and wet weather across the UK of the last few days, it will become a lot calmer but also a lot colder from tomorrow.
It said: “There will be clear skies by day, but at night this will mean it will become frosty.
“Temperatures will dip to around freezing or well below it.
“These conditions will last until at least Monday or perhaps Tuesday depending on a series of low pressure systems lining up to battle with high pressure systems in the Atlantic.”
Today’s forecast for the eastern
half of the province is for a fairly cloudy day with a maximum temperature of around 6C, although it may feel a couple of degrees colder.
It should be dry initially but the chances of rain will increase significantly as the day goes on, especially from 7-10pm.
Wind will initially come in
from a south-westerly direction, but will later be replaced by north-easterly gusts.
In the west, the day will also begin cloudy with a maximum temperature of 5C.
But conditions could make it feel like it is below freezing at some points.
The chances of rain will increase
from around 5pm. The outlook over the weekend is mainly dry with long clear or sunny spells.
Initially strong north-easterly winds will ease throughout tomorrow and will be replaced by a southerly breeze by Monday, accompanied by much colder temperatures.