Met Office issues ice weather warning for Northern Ireland

The Met Office has sent out a weather warning for ice in Northern Ireland, and nidirect published information and advice on 16 February 2026¹. An earlier nidirect page, published on 14 February 2026, referred to a weather warning for snow and ice in some areas². Neither page states the warning level, the areas covered or the period it runs.

nidirect says surfaces, including untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, could be icy and hazardous, with a risk of injuries from slips and falls¹. The earlier page warned of hazardous driving conditions, disruption to travel and icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths². nidirect explains that weather warnings from the Met Office let the public and emergency services know about potentially hazardous conditions¹.

nidirect advises people to plan journeys and check the latest weather and travel advice, and to ask whether a journey can be delayed until conditions improve¹. It says ice forms more easily on hilly or exposed roads, roads that pass under or over a bridge, and roads shaded by trees or buildings, and that conditions may stay challenging even after roads have been treated¹. It advises against braking suddenly in icy conditions, saying this may lock the wheels and cause a skid, and sets out what to do if a skid starts: release the brake pedal fully or ease off the accelerator, steer into the skid, and as you straighten, steer back along the road¹.

nidirect lists the following contact numbers for emergencies and service failures¹:

Issues with snow or ice can be reported online or by phoning 0300 200 7899, and flooding can be reported on the Flooding Incident Line¹. nidirect directs readers to TrafficwatchNI for traffic and roads information, to Translink for bus and rail updates, and to council websites where local council services are affected¹. Power cuts can be checked on NIE Networks' Powercheck and reported on its helpline¹.

Why it matters for households

The warning covers Northern Ireland. Icy untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths raise the risk of slips and falls as well as difficult driving conditions¹. nidirect advises households to note emergency and utility numbers in case of emergency, and points to its guidance on reducing the risk of frozen pipes and what to do if a pipe bursts¹. For drivers, nidirect advises clearing ice from all windows, lights, the number plate and the vehicle roof before setting off, keeping mirrors clear and windows de-misted, using at least dipped headlights in poor visibility, keeping well back from the road user in front, and being cautious at junctions where road markings may not be visible¹. It also advises checking anti-freeze and screenwash, wiper blades, battery charge, tyre pressures and tread of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference, and that headlamps are clean and all bulbs working². It advises carrying a winter kit in the vehicle, including an ice scraper and de-icer, a torch and spare batteries, an in-car phone charger, warm clothes and blankets, a high-visibility vest or jacket, boots, a first aid kit, jump leads, an empty fuel can, a shovel if there is a chance of snow, a road atlas, sunglasses and two reflective warning triangles, with regular medication, food and a thermos with a hot drink for long trips or severe weather².

What happens next

No end time for the warning, and no further update, has been reported¹. nidirect says the latest information on affected council services should be available on council websites¹.

The Met Office explains the yellow, amber and red warning levels, and households can follow how to sign up for Met Office weather alerts. Our guide to storms, snow and ice covers household preparation, and driving in snow and ice covers road travel.