A number of Halloween events were either cancelled or rescheduled on Wednesday and Thursday following the issuance of a yellow weather warning for wind by the Met Office, which was in place from 1pm to 11pm on Thursday.
The warning applied to all six counties, with gusts reaching up to 70 mph over higher ground and exposed coastal areas, particularly along the east coast.
But looking ahead, the Met Office forecasts brighter weather on Friday, with many sunny spells expected in eastern parts of Northern Ireland.
However, western areas will see cloudier skies with occasional heavy showers during late morning and into the afternoon. Maximum temperatures across the region are expected to reach 13C, though wind and residual moisture may make it feel cooler.
REPRO FREE.. 29/10/25… Families enjoyed the CarrickFEARgus Halloween Celebrations on Wednesday night! The Ghostbusters, fire performers and lots of mischievous walkabout characters lit up Shaftesbury Park as part of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council’s Halloween events. Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
For visitors planning to enjoy Halloween in Derry – one of Europe’s most famous cities for spooky celebrations – the weather will be mixed on Friday.
There will be a combination of cloud, rain, and wind, with showers less persistent inland but more frequent along the coast. The city’s annual Halloween festival, which typically attracts more than 100,000 visitors over the week, saw several events disrupted by the stormy conditions.
Organisers urged visitors to dress appropriately for the weather and plan ahead to avoid disappointment while attending events.
The weekend is expected to remain unsettled, with showers and occasional longer spells of rain predicted. Heavy rain is likely on Saturday morning, followed by drier and brighter spells later in the day. Sunday will remain breezy, with variable cloud and occasional rain showers continuing across the region.
The severe weather earlier in the week caused some disruption and delay to travel. Almost 20 flights to and from other UK airports were cancelled at Belfast City Airport, most of which operate using smaller regional aircraft with propellers. Passengers were advised to check with airlines before travelling and to allow extra time for airport procedures.
Local authorities also had to take precautionary measures. Derry City and Strabane District Council announced that City Cemetery, Altnagelvin Cemetery, and Ballyoan Cemetery would close from 4.30pm on Thursday evening.
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Meanwhile, the Awakening the Walled City Trail – a highlight of Derry’s Halloween celebrations – was cancelled. Several festive events in towns including Dungannon, Ballymena, and Whitehead were also called off due to the windy and rainy conditions.
Other events were instead rescheduled. Fireworks at the Lakes in Craigavon, along with the Halloween parade and fireworks at Falls Park, were moved from Thursday to Wednesday.
REPRO FREE…30/10/25. Crowds flocked to Coleraine on Wednesday night for the Halloween Happenings event organised by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council. There was lots to see and do including potion making, circus skills, Halloween Crafts and a spooky trail through the forest. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display. Pic McAuley Multimedia
Airy Fairies ‘Dead & Breakfast’ Halloween house raising money for Co. Down boy with cancer
Portaferry’s Halloween Gala and the Coleraine fireworks display also went ahead on Wednesday instead. In Belfast city centre, inflatable monsters installed on buildings were temporarily deflated until the wind subsided to ensure public safety.
Thursday’s temperatures were relatively mild, reaching up to 13C, but the damp and blustery conditions, coupled with fog in many parts, made it feel cooler, particularly in coastal and exposed areas.