THE Met Office has warned that more freezing conditions are on the way for Ulster.
Forecaster Helen Chivers said although the Province already has icy roads, “there is much more of it to come”.
Ms Chivers said up to five centimetres of snow could also lie on high ground around Northern Ireland today and throughout the weekend.
The Met Office also issued a “yellow warning” for ice in Northern Ireland from 3pm yesterday to noon today.
“We have a yellow warning for ice in Northern Ireland through to noon on Friday,” she said.
“The yellow warning means people should be aware that there is a risk of icy roads and snow. They should be aware this could lead to some travel disruption and motorists must take extra care whilst travelling.”
She said while temperatures remained at 1C yesterday and last night, “it will get icy again” tonight.
“There will be more showers of sleet or snow on Friday morning which will fall on very cold surfaces and turn to ice.
“It looks like the latter part of Friday will be particularly icy.”
Today’s weather is described as being “particularly wintry” with winds blowing from the north with a mixture of wintry showers starting today and continuing throughout the weekend.
“There will be accumulations of snow on the high ground.
“At night there will be widespread frost with temperatures between -3C and -5C,” said Ms Chivers.
“That would obviously continue the risk of ice on the road over the weekend.”
She said all areas of Northern Ireland were at risk of being “particularly bad”.
“The areas most at risk of snow showers are northern and eastern counties — Londonderry and Coleraine down to Ballymena and Lisburn and County Down.
“The showers will come and go over the weekend and there will be some sunshine, but the risk is there throughout the weekend.
“It will be quite icy and it is something to be aware of.”
Ms Chivers added that Ulster’s weather is expected to turn “milder” from the middle of next week and up to Christmas Day.
Last night, a Roads Service spokeswoman said: “Roads Service are ready to respond to any drop in temperatures.
“We have over 300 staff on standby and 135 gritters available to salt main roads which carry over 80 per cent of the traffic. Each treatment of grit takes just over three hours, which is a massive logistical exercise that costs over £70,000 each time it takes place.
“Salt barns have been filled to the maximum capacity with over 100,000 tonnes of salt in preparation for the winter weather conditions.
“However, even with the most careful and thorough planning, the use of special Met Office forecasts and the latest ice prediction technology, Winter Service is really a battle against the elements and ice-free roads cannot be guaranteed.
“Motorists have to play their part by taking extra care during wintry conditions.”