Ireland is set for 'big thaw' as the weekend will bring a change from the bitterly cold weather we have been experiencing.
Met Eireann's HARMONIE model shows temperatures reaching up to 12C on Sunday in some areas.
However, the increase could be short lived with another major dip in temperatures forecast again before Christmas.
Weather expert Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather said although it is still "very uncertain", we could see cooler air could return again by Wednesday.
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He wrote on Twitter: "After the big freeze comes the big thaw. Up to 12c by Sunday in the South and most areas will see over 10c Monday. Cooler air could return by Wednesday but very uncertain yet."
Meanwhile it is a bitterly cold start to the day as a Status Orange weather warning for low temperatures and ice remains in place for 16 counties remains in place until 12pm on Friday. Many areas in the midlands and the south west saw temperatures plummet to -7C and -8C overnight.
There will be widespread frost and ice and a few patches of freezing fog this morning, which will lead to difficult road conditions with maximum daytime temperatures of 0C to 4C.
Showers will move in across the northwest and extend southeast during the late afternoon and evening with some turning wintry in places with icy conditions in some areas.
Tonight will see lowest temperatures ranging 0C to -3C with clear spells and scattered showers and wintry and with icy conditions in places as well as some mist and fog, especially in the midlands.
Saturday will be another cold day generally with with some mist and fog and a few showers. Highest temperatures of 1C to 4C degrees, but in costal areas of the south and west it will rise to between 5C and 8C. Overnight temperatures will drop to 0C to 4C as outbreaks of rain will spread from the south, signalling a change in the weather, turning it less cold.
Sunday will be the day the 'big thaw' arrives as it will be much milder than previous days with highest temperatures ranging from 8C over north Ulster, to 12C or 13C in the south. It will be rather windy with outbreaks of rain or drizzle, most in the south and west of the country.
Monday will also see mild temperatures of 10C to 13C with outbreaks of rain in the south and west, extending to all areas in the afternoon. The rain will clear in the east on Monday evening and lowest temperatures will drop to 4C to 7C.
Tuesday will be windy with sunny spells and scattered showers, some of the showers heavy with hail in Atlantic coastal counties and maximum temperatures of 7C to 10C.
Met Eireann has said that early indications suggest Wednesday will be a fresh and breezy day with sunny spells and scattered showers with highest temperatures generally ranging 6C to 9C.
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