The wintry weather gripping Ireland will ease a little today, mainly thanks to a lessening of the northerly winds that have added a chill factor to already low temperatures.
The north and west could see more snow showers throughout today, and it will still be cold everywhere, with a severe frost tonight and temperatures falling to -4 degrees.
But the absence of winds will make it feel a few degrees milder than on previous days.
Outside Ulster and Connacht, isolated snow falls are still possible, but occurring only as light flurries. Most of the country will be dry, with sunny spells.
Some of the wintriest weather yesterday was in Connacht, with residents in Mayo waking up to a blanket of snow and facing hazardous road conditions as a result.
More than half of all primary and post-primary schools in the area were closed for the day.
The main roads had been gritted overnight by council crews, but the minor roads were described by gardaí in Ballina and Castlebar as treacherous.
The weather contributed to a number of minor traffic accidents, with drivers leaving the road and landing in fields and ditches.
In west Mayo sizeable drifts of snow developed, blown by gale-force northerly winds.
Snowfalls closed several schools and disrupted traffic in Galway city and county, and further hazardous driving conditions were forecast for the area today. Showers during late Thursday and Friday morning resulted in less than an inch of snow spread over most of the city and county.
However, more than half-a-dozen primary schools were forced to close, and motorists faced difficult conditions and long delays, with a 12-mile tailback reported on one of the approach roads into Galway city.
Galway airport at Carnmore was also closed for a time.
There were several minor accidents, but bright sunshine resulted in a thaw in the city area before midday. Snow continued to lie on higher ground in the north and west, while much of east Galway escaped the worst of the conditions.
Donegal also suffered the effects of the wintry snap. More than 60 schools in the county did not open yesterday as snow showers continued to cause problems on the county's roads.
Belfast had more than two inches of snow, and showers were expected to continue until this morning. Police reported a wave of minor road accidents.
A multiple car crash caused the main Dundonald-Newtownards carriageway at Quarry Hill to be closed for a time, although no serious injuries were reported.
Met Éireann predicts milder and probably wetter conditions in most parts of the country by the middle of next week.
Sunday night will see another severe frost. But from Monday onwards the temperatures will ease thanks to southerly breezes, with cloud spreading from the west early on Tuesday.
Tuesday and Wednesday could see the return of rain everywhere.