Met Éireann has said that the bitterly cold Arctic airmass affecting the country for several days will start to move away with milder conditions developing during the weekend.
A Status Orange weather warning for low temperatures and ice in several counties is due to expire at 8:00a.m today (Friday, January 10).
While a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning remains in place for the entire country until 12:00p.m today.
Eoin Sherlock, head of forecasting at Met Éireann, said that while the prolonged spell of cold weather is coming to an end this weekend, there will still be dangerous conditions in some places today.
Weekend weather
It will be very cold across most of the country this morning, with widespread frost and ice.
Rain in the southwest will extend slowly northeastwards during the day, turning to sleet at times on higher ground. It will remain dry in north Leinster and Ulster.
Highest afternoon temperatures of 1° to 5°C, not as cold in the southwest, with moderate to fresh east to southeast winds developing.
Tonight will be cloudy with rain continuing to move northeastwards, again turning to sleet or snow on higher ground. Lowest temperatures of 0° to 4° in light to moderate southeast winds, fresh in the west and northwest.
Saturday will be cloudy with scattered outbreaks of light rain and drizzle which will spread across the south and southwest later in the day. Highest temperatures of 3° to 7°, feeling milder along south and west coasts, with light to moderate southerly winds.
Saturday night will be cloudy night with some patchy drizzle on Atlantic coasts, mainly dry elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 1° to 5° in a light to moderate southerly breeze.
It will be dull on Sunday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing over the western half of the country, drier further east.
Met Éireann said that it will gradually turn milder on Sunday with afternoon temperatures of 6° to 10° in moderate to fresh southerly winds.
Sunday night will be much milder than recent days, breezy with patchy light rain and drizzle. Lowest temperatures initially of 7° to 10°, rising later in the night, with fresh southerly winds.
On Monday, it will be cloudy with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 11° to 14° in moderate to fresh south to southwest winds.
Met Éireann said that the outlook shows it will stay mild into next week with a good deal of dry weather overall.
Met Éireann
The forecast shows that rain and sleet is expected in some areas today, but after this the overall rainfall amounts will be small.
A southerly air-flow will develop over Ireland bringing lots of dry weather but with occasional light rain and drizzle in Atlantic coastal counties.
Mean air temperatures over the next 7 days are forecast to be 2° or 3° above the seasonal average.
Soil temperatures are currently 1° or 2° below average for January, but will gradually recover next week.
Met Éireann said that all poorly drained soils and moderately drain soils in west are currently waterlogged, well and all other moderately drained soils are saturated.
Despite rainfall amounts being lower than average in the coming week, field conditions are not expected to improve, as lying snow will begin to thaw at the weekend.
Community spirit
Since the cold weather set in, there have been numerous stories of communities rallying together to help each other out.
One such effort took place in Co. Clare yesterday involving An Garda Síochána.
Garda Yvonne Brady and Garda Michael Haugh from Ennistymon Garda station were contacted about an elderly lady living outside Connolly, Co. Clare who runs An Cat Dubh Cat Sanctuary.
The sanctuary cares for over 160 cats and because of the weather and very poor road conditions she has been quickly running out of supplies.
The gardaí said: “We were more than happy to be able to help with dropping in some litter and cat food as well as some bits for the lady herself.
“If you or anyone you know need us help or support please call us. We’re always here,” the post from gardaí on social media cited.