Warnings of heavy rain, flooding and strong winds have been issued for Co Armagh as Storm Chandra approaches, which will bring inevitable disruption to education and travel on Tuesday.
The Met Office has placed Co Armagh under a yellow rainfall warning, which also covers counties Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.
An amber warning for wind in more northerly and eastern counties will be in effect on Tuesday from 5am until 9pm, with a separate rainfall warning due to come into force from midnight, increasing the risk of further flooding.
Forecasters say that over the next 48 hours many areas could see around 50mm of rain, with more than 100mm possible on higher ground, particularly towards the east. Strong and potentially damaging winds are also expected during the amber warning period.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has advised members of the public not to visit forests, country parks, nature reserves or the Public Angling Estate in affected areas until conditions improve.
In response to the weather warning, Southern Regional College (SRC) has announced the closure of all its campuses on Tuesday, January 27, with teaching moving online for the day.
In a statement, the College said the decision was taken “in the interest of the safety of our staff and students” following the Met Office amber warning associated with Storm Chandra.
All SRC buildings will be closed and students have been advised not to travel to any campus. Teaching and learning, including evening provision, will be delivered remotely, with students asked to check their College email for updates.
Apprenticeship provision will be managed by individual faculties, while arrangements for SEN students will also be handled directly by the relevant teams. Community-based courses have been postponed and all examinations scheduled for Tuesday will be rescheduled, with further details to be communicated.
Student Support Services will remain available online, while the Banbridge Campus Open Evening planned for Tuesday evening has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.
The College thanked staff and students for their cooperation, urging everyone to continue monitoring official communications and weather updates as Storm Chandra impacts the region.
Road users across Co Armagh are also being advised to take care, particularly in areas prone to surface water flooding and where strong winds could lead to fallen debris. Further updates are expected as conditions develop.
