NORTHERN Ireland is in the grip of adverse winter weather, but, hopefully, life here will not be too disrupted or travellers too inconvenienced by the snow and ice that has been forecast for this weekend.
Until now, the winter had been pleasantly mild with only an over-abundance of rain falling to dismally darken and dampen our days, but an amber alert, the second highest level, is now in place, and airports and ferry services have already experienced disruption. One would cautiously observe that Northern Ireland, when compared with conditions in Scotland, Wales and the east coast of England, has got off lightly so far this winter and our roads department appears well prepared for the incoming spell of snow and ice.
There are more than sufficient supplies of grit in the DRD depots, minister Danny Kennedy confirms, and with 300 staff working around the clock and 130 gritting lorries scurrying up and down the Province, our main highways should be kept well clear.
That said, great care should be exercised by drivers at all times and speed and distance are something to watch even on what appears to be an ice-free surface.
In spells of extreme weather, there are other potential problems for householders, such as burst water pipes. The plight of elderly people in a spell of cold weather is a worry and families and neighbours do need to closely monitor the situation.
Traditionally, the British attitude to arctic weather is more panicky and on the back foot than is the case in other north European countries. We try to get through the winter on a wing and a prayer, hoping against hope that the snow and ice will pass us by. And ominously, when it comes, many are not fully prepared.