Met Eireann forecasts thaw as Ireland endures another freezing night with -6.6C recorded

Ireland experienced another freezing night with temperatures plunging as low as -6.6C in parts of the country as the cold snap enters its seventh day. 

Temperatures of -6.6C were recorded at 4am in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon according to provisional figures by Met Éireann, while the observation stations in Dunsany, Co Meath and Ballyhaise, Co Cavan recorded lows of -6.3C at 5am and 6am respectively. 

Icy conditions persist across the country as a Status Orange low temperature and ice warning for 15 counties, including Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon and Tipperary. The warning is set to expire at 8am this Friday morning. 

A nationwide Status Yellow warning, active since Sunday, is also in effect and will remain in place until midday.

Widespread frost, ice and lying snow continue to cause hazardous conditions across the country, with black ice posing a significant risk to road users. 

Today will remain bitterly cold, with highest temperatures of ranging from 1 to 5 degrees. Cloud and rain in the southwest will slowly spread northeast, turning to sleet in some areas and snow on higher ground.

Tonight will be less cold compared to previous nights with temperatures dipping between 0 and 4 degrees.

As the weekend approaches, milder conditions are forecast ahead of Ireland's big thaw. Saturday will bring scattered showers with temperatures ranging from 1 to 5 degrees overnight.

Sunday will see a further rise in temperatures, reaching 6 to 10 degrees, accompanied by patchy rain. 

By Monday, the cold snap is expected to have come to an end with highs of 11 to 14 degrees forecast across the country.