Yellow weather warning issued as heavy rain and strong winds hit Northern Ireland

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across Northern Ireland, with heavy and persistent rainfall expected to cause localised flooding and travel disruption over the next two days.

The warning came into effect at 12:00 on Thursday 5 February 2026 and is scheduled to remain in place until 23:59 on Friday 6 February 2026, covering the majority of the region.

According to the Met Office, areas of rain will continue to spread north-westwards across Northern Ireland throughout Thursday, Thursday night and much of Friday, with rainfall becoming heavy at times.

Most locations are expected to record between 10mm and 20mm of rain, bringing what forecasters describe as “low level impacts” for many communities.

However, southeast-facing hills could see significantly higher totals of 40–50mm, increasing the risk of surface water flooding in vulnerable areas.

The greatest concern lies in the Mourne Mountains and the Antrim Hills, where rain is forecast to be particularly persistent on east and southeast-facing slopes. These areas may receive between 60mm and 80mm of rainfall during the warning period.

While low impacts remain most likely overall, the Met Office warns there is “a small chance” that impacts in these upland areas could reach a medium level, particularly where ground conditions are already saturated.

Risk to travel and coastal areas

In addition to the heavy rain, strong to gale-force east to southeast winds are forecast to affect parts of Northern Ireland during the warning period.

These conditions may lead to difficult travel, especially on exposed routes, while large waves are expected along Irish Sea coastlines, posing potential risks for coastal communities and marine activities.

Motorists are being advised to allow extra time for journeys, remain alert for flooding on roads, and take care near rivers and streams that could respond quickly to prolonged rainfall.

Impact and preparedness

For residents in affected upland and coastal areas, the warning comes as a reminder of the challenges winter weather can bring, particularly for rural communities and those living near known flood-prone locations.