An amber weather warning for snow and ice covering some parts of Northern Ireland has been issued by the Met Office.
It covers areas including parts of Co Down, Co Antrim and Co Armagh, and comes into place at 3pm on Thursday, March 9.
It will remain in force until 4am on Friday, March 10.
Read more: Weather warning for snow in force as drivers urged to take extra care - LIVE
The forecaster said: "Periods of heavy snow causing disruption to travel and impacts on infrastructure."
It added: "Periods of snow are expected to develop for much of Northern Ireland into early afternoon, becoming heavy and persistent across the warning area. Strong easterly winds will accompany the snow, leading to atrocious travel conditions, especially, but not exclusively over higher ground. 4-8 cm of snow is likely away from immediate coasts, with 10-20 cm possible over higher ground.
"Significantly deeper snow drifts are possible. Snow should begin to ease by the early hours of Friday, before clearing to the east. Temperatures will fall quickly under clearing skies, leading to the risk of icy conditions developing."
A yellow weather warning covering the whole region is already in place across Northern Ireland.
It will remain in place until 2pm on Friday.
For Thursday's weather forecast, the Met Office said: "A dry start to the day with some bright spells, but outbreaks of snow spreading north during the afternoon, heavy at times. Easterly winds becoming strong. Maximum temperature 4C."
It added: "Snow will continue through this evening and the first part of the night but then clearing east, leaving clear skies behind. Winds easing. Minimum temperature -4C."
On Thursday morning, a PSNI spokesperson said: "Motorists are advised to take extra care on the roads today, Thursday 9th March, especially on those which may not have been gritted.
"Clear your windscreen of ice and snow before you set off and remember to slow down and increase the distance between you and the car ahead.
"Stopping distances increase greatly when weather conditions are poor, so slow down and leave a bigger gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front, and drive as smoothly as possible.
"Please also listen to and consider all travel and safety advice before making any journey and respect any road closure signage."
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