Freezing overnight temperatures and heavy snowfalls are set to further disrupt road and rail transport across the country over the next few days but the Arctic weather should come to an end by next weekend.
Met Éireann has issued a further severe weather alert warning with falls of up to 10cm in places.
The country has not faced a situation like this in 30 or 40 years and this weekend’s snow offered more “worrying possibilities”, especially for the east and southeast of the country, Gerald Fleming, head of forecasting, said.
However, he added “the good news is we have a fairly solid signal for milder weather to gradually come up across the country for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of next weekend.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, but that trend has been in the forecast now for a few days, and we’re fairly confident at this stage that the milder weather is on its way.
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel even though the tunnel is still dark and pretty chilly for the next six or seven days.”
Mr Fleming said it was possible the cold weather could come back, but he could not make predictions beyond next weekend.
The forecast expects wintry showers in parts of the east and south tonight with sleet and snow “developing more widely across the country during tomorrow and into Monday”. Lowest temperatures are expected to be around -10 degrees in places tonight.
Hail and snow showers moving westwards across the country today resulted in up to 70 flights being delayed or cancelled as Dublin airport closed for up to four hours this morning.
Flights at the airport resumed at 12:30pm although there are serious knock-on delays taking place. Passengers are asked to contact their airline before setting out for the airport.
Shannon, Cork and Knock airports remain open and report no major delays or cancellations.
Icy roads nationwide with snow in most parts and freezing fog are causing poor visibility and treacherous conditions for motorists.
Gardaí are warning motorists to travel only if necessary, and to reduce their speed in the icy conditions.
AA Roadwatch also urged motorists to avoid any unnecessary journeys around the capital as the snow combined with heavy fog made for treacherous driving conditions.
In Wicklow and Wexford heavy snow is adding to the slippery conditions. Particular care is needed in Wicklow Town, Bray, Delgany and Greystones.
Icy in parts on the N11 between the Glen of the Downs and Enniscorthy and motorists are advised to use the left lane.
The N80 is very icy and drivers are asked to avoid the N81 at Baltinglass as well as higher ground and mountain passes.
Freezing fog has lifted around Kildare town however, treacherous conditions remain around the Curragh.
Conditions are also treacherous on parts of the M9, N81 and the N3.
In the west of the country freezing fog has resulted in very poor visibility on the M6 Galway bypass and conditions are icy on the N6, N65.
Particular care is also needed on the N7 and the N24.
In the North the PSNI have warned motorists of poor visibility on the M1, M2 and M5 motorways.
There are restrictions and delays on both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services.
Local authorities are under increasing strain to keep main roads open as supplies of rock salt reach critical levels.
Experts estimate that between 15,000-20,000 tonnes are required to de-ice the roads next week. However, it is expected that the National Roads Authority will have sourced only 10,000 tonnes by Monday.
Additional reporting PA