Amber wind warning was extended by Met OfficeRoads flooded and disruption to flights, trains and ferries
The Met Office issued both amber and yellow weather warnings for wind, with the amber alert lasting until 8pm – extended by an hour from its initial 7pm estimated ending.
The yellow warning remains in place until 10pm tonight.
Storm Bram hits Carrickfergus on 9th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Watch: Flooding in Carrickfergus as Storm Bram hits NI
Today’s warnings covered much of Northern Ireland, including counties Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone.
Meteorologists warned that gusts could reach 60-70mph, with coastal areas and higher ground potentially experiencing winds of over 80mph.
By mid-afternoon, the Magilligan weather station in Co Londonderry had recorded the strongest gusts of the day, reaching 59mph at 2pm.
Although the official yellow warning ends at 10pm, conditions are expected to remain tempestuous overnight, with gusts along the coast continuing to reach 40-45mph.
Storm Bram hits Carrickfergus from Belfast Lough on December 9th 2025 (Photo by Stephen Henderson)
Whitehead, Downpatrick and Newry were some of the worst hit areas for power cuts, according to Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks.
By mid-afternoon, around 657 homes in the Whitehead area were without power.
Between the townlands of Ballydargan and Ballyhornan – both close to Downpatrick town – at least 755 homes were impacted by electricity outages at around 7pm on Tuesday.
NIE Networks said its engineers were working to restore power where possible, but the combination of high winds and fallen debris was slowing down repair efforts.
Storm Bram in Carrickfergus on 9th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Residents across Northern Ireland were further advised to secure outdoor items and avoid unnecessary travel. Flying debris posed a significant danger to life, and the risk of damage to buildings was high.
Transport has been severely disrupted as well. Road closures due to flooding and fallen debris were reported across the region.
In Co Down, the Rostrevor Road in Warrenpoint and the South Promenade in Newcastle were impassable for a stage, while the Portaferry Road in Newtownards and the Belfast Road in Carrickfergus also closed due to flooding and a collapsed wall.
Trees fell across major routes, including the A20 Ards to Dundonald stretch, blocking lanes and creating dangerous driving conditions. Police urged motorists to seek alternative routes and exercise extreme caution.
Translink confirmed cancellations on the Portadown line and advised passengers that tickets would be accepted on bus services. Shuttle buses operated between Carrickfergus and Whitehead, but services in Co Down, including school buses, were suspended due to flooding on the Kilkeel Road.
Storm Bram hits Carrickfergus from Belfast Lough on December 9th 2025 (Photo by Stephen Henderson)
The Strangford Ferry service was suspended for the afternoon and flights from Belfast City Airport were cancelled to destinations including Leeds Bradford, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, and London Heathrow. Inbound flights and ferry crossings to Cairnryan were also disrupted.
Schools were advised by the Education Authority to keep pupils indoors where practical, cancel after-school activities, and remain flexible with school leaving times to reduce travel risks.
While there were no general school closures, officials cautioned that disruption to transport and power outages could affect students and staff throughout the day.
Local attractions and events also felt the effects of the storm. The Belfast Christmas Market was closed for safety reasons, with plans to reopen on Wednesday, weather permitting.
The Belfast Christmas Market was closed on Tuesday. Photo: Pacemaker
Similarly, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience closed from 12pm and issued refunds for pre-booked tickets, citing safety concerns from large waves and coastal flooding. Coastal areas saw dramatic scenes, including waves crashing over sea walls in Carrickfergus, and sports events were not spared either.
Tuesday night’s north Belfast derby between Crusaders and Cliftonville was postponed due to worsening conditions, with both clubs citing the safety of players, staff, and fans as the reason for the cancellation.
The Department for Infrastructure said it deployed additional staff to monitor river and sea levels, install temporary flood defences, and manage incidents across vulnerable coastal areas, while PSNI officers were present at key locations to manage traffic and advise the public on road safety.
The worst of the storm will have passed by tomorrow, but it’s expected to remain breezy, especially in the northern areas, where gusts could reach 50mph in the morning.
The day will start with heavy, blustery showers in the morning, particularly in the north and west. These are likely to clear through the morning.
The afternoon should bring some sunny intervals and largely dry spells, offering a break from the stormy weather.
Temperatures are likely to be milder, with a maximum around 10C.
A Met Office spokesperson said that windy weather is expected to persist into Thursday, although the strongest winds will have passed within those first few hours.
Catch up on the day’s events here:
Key updates
Amber wind warning extended
Thousands without power across Northern Ireland
Flights and ferries cancelled
That’s it for our live weather blog this evening folks. Stay safe – and be sure to visit belfasttelegraph.co.uk for more updates in the future.
Emergency Services rescue school bus on flooded road
Emergency crews responded to a ‘chaotic’ scene on the Portaferry Road earlier today, after several vehicles – including a school bus carrying children – became stranded in dangerous conditions.
Coastguard rescue teams and specialist officers from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service assisted those affected, using full water-rescue equipment to clear a safe route for vehicles.
The Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team added that the road is covered in debris and is in a dangerous condition, “so please do not travel on it until the DFI [Department for Infrastructure] carry out inspection in the morning”.
Whiterock Road impassable at 4.10pm on Tuesday afternoon
Carrickfergus road cleared
The Belfast Road in Carrickfergus is now clear following an earlier closure from the Trooperslane Road up to the Sloefield Road, due to a collapsed wall.
Newcastle road reopens
The South Promenade in Newcastle, which was impassable due to flooding earlier this afternoon, is now clear and has re-opened to road users.
Footage of flooding in Whitehead has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times onlineCarrickfergus flooding
This was the scene in Carrickfergus this evening. Photos: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Tree down on busy NI roadA tree has fallen on a busy NI road covering part of the carriageway.
The tree is down on the Ards to Dundonald section of the A20 carriageway and is covering part of the road.
In a post on social media DUP councillor Sharon Skillen wrote: “Tree down on Ards to Dundonald carriageway, on the hill down towards Dundonald. Covering inside lane and part of the outside lane. This has been reported. Please take care.”Highest wind speed this afternoon in Co Londonderry
The strongest gusts recorded by the Met Office so far today has been at Magilligan weather station in Londonderry, where winds reached 59mph at 2pm on Tuesday.
Amber wind warning extended
The amber weather warning for wind in Northern Ireland has been extended by an hour. It will now end at 8pm, instead of 7pm on Tuesday evening, the Met Office has confirmed.
The warning is in place as Storm Bram continues to bring extremely strong winds to Northern Ireland, with the potential for major disruption throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening. Gusts could reach 60–70 mph, and possibly over 80 mph along coastal areas and higher ground. While the amber alert lasts a few hours, a yellow warning will remain in effect until 10pm, as dangerous winds continue.
Residents should expect possible power cuts, damage to buildings, fallen trees and power lines, and significant disruption to travel, including potential closures of roads, bridges, rail routes, and delays to flights and ferry services. The risk of flying debris also poses a danger to life.
People are advised to secure loose outdoor items, plan travel carefully, and prepare for potential power outages by having torches, batteries, and phone chargers ready. Coastal areas will be especially hazardous, with large waves and unstable cliffs prompting warnings to stay well back from the shoreline. In emergencies, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
The warning now extends further into the evening, affecting Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. The Met Office urges the public to stay updated, as weather conditions and warnings may change quickly.
Co Down road closed due to flooding
The PSNI has confirmed the Rostrevor Road in Warrenpoint is currently impassable due to flooding.
A spokesperson for the police said: “Caution is also advised in the Moygannon Road, which is also affected by flooding. Please exercise caution and seek alternative routes for your journey.”
More train lines closed due to storm weather
Translink have confirmed more disruption as a result of storm weather.
They said the rail line between Carrickfergus and Larne Harbour is closed and advised passengers that railway tickets are accepted on scheduled bus services and a bus shuttle will operate between Carrickfergus and Whitehead instead.
Meanwhile, in Co Down a number of bus services including school bus services have been impacted.
Translink said due to the closure of the Kilkeel Road as a result of flooding, all buses including school buses, are unable to get from Newcastle to Kilkeel and from Kilkeel to Newcastle until further notice.
Dramatic scenes of waves crashing over the sea wall in CarrickfergusNewtownards flooding
The Portaferry Road in Newtownards is currently impassable due to flooding and police are advising road users to seek alternative routes.
Strangford Ferry suspended
It has been confirmed the Strangford Ferry service has been suspended this afternoon due to the storm conditions. The ferry sails between Portaferry and Strangford in Co Down every day of the year.Train cancellations due to storm
Translink have confirmed a number of train services have fallen victim to the weather conditions.
They said there are cancellations on the Portadown line including services from Belfast to Lisburn and Belfast to Portadown.
They said the cancellations so far impact the 15.42 service from Belfast to Lisburn, the 16.12 service from Lisburn to Belfast and the 16.41 service from Belfast to Portadown.
North Belfast derby off
Tonight’s north Belfast derby between Crusaders and Cliftonville has been postponed following agreement from both clubs.
Collapsed wall closes Co Antrim road
The PSNI has confirmed another road closure, this time due to a collapsed wall. They said the closure is in place on the Belfast Road in Carrickfergus, from the Trooperslane Road up to the Sloefield Road.
A spokesperson added: “Trooperslane Road is also closed. Please seek an alternative route for your journey.”
It comes as East Antrim UUP MLA John Stewart shared a video of the flooding on the Belfast Road. In his post online cars can be seen attempting to drive through flood water while significant waves and spray from the water crash over the wall.
Mr Stewart wrote in a post: “Folks please be aware – the Belfast Road near Sloefield Road continues to be badly affected by flooding with sea water coming over the wall and is getting worse. Parts of the wall have also come down. PSNI are now in attendance and managing traffic.”
Thousands without power across Northern IrelandThousands of homes across Northern Ireland are without power due to Storm Bram.
Northern Ireland Electricity’s map of current outages is showing there is particular disruption in coastal areas of the country.
In the Whitehead area around 657 homes are without power, with nearly 500 homes without power in Downpatrick.Road closures due to flooding The PSNI has said that the Shore Road in Rostrevor and the South Promenade in Newcastle are both currently impassable due to flooding.
Road users are being advised to avoid the area, exercise caution and seek alternative routes for your journeys.