Long awaited rises in temperatures will kick in from tomorrow - but there is a chance of arctic conditions returning next week, Met Eireann has said.
With temperatures set to rise slowly over the next four days widespread flooding is not anticipated as the country slowly returns to more normal 'Atlantic' weather conditions.
However Gerald Barry of Met Eireann said the following week may see Ireland perched on the borders of two weather systems - one to the east bringing very cold Continental air from northern Europe, and one to the west bearing the more "usual" air from the Atlantic associated with this time of year. Mr Barry said it was too early to say with any certainty which weather system would dominate.
Country-wide local authorities have appealed for people to conserve water and not to leave taps running at night. Galway City Council said reservoir levels had recharged sufficiently and that water pressure and supply have returned to the mains in areas affected earlier.
Meath County Council has appealed to consumers to conserve water and said that resident of the Stamullen area were likely to experience low pressure today.
Wicklow County Council is to continue to cut supplies at night.
Dublin City Council said water resources had stopped disimproving and consumption which had been increasing at a rate of 17 to 20 megalitres per day up to Monday, actually declined by eight megalitres on Tuesday night.
Water cut offs will continue overnight in most areas in the Dublin region at least until a review by the city council tomorrow. City engineer Michael Phillips said the council was still clearing ice and snow from the footpaths and he urged pedestrians and motorists to maintain their vigilance.
Communications manager for Luas operator Veolia Dervla Brophy said Dublin's Connolly tram stop remained closed because ice and snow had compacted on the awnings above the Luas platform. She said there was a danger that the ice could fall as a large sheet or block and cause damage to trams and passengers. The Luas stop remains cordoned off and passengers, pedestrians and other station users are advised to keep away from the area until further notice.
The Government's emergency planning task force also repeated similar warnings for people - particularly smokers - to be careful when standing outside houses or business premises.
While the thaw continues ice and snow may take several days to be removed from footpaths and advice to pedestrians not to walk with hands in thier pockets or to make mobile calls while walking was repeated.
Gardaí are investigating the death of a woman in Tuam, Co Galway who is thought to have slipped on ice. The woman, who was in her 70s, was found lying outside her home on Bermingham Street yesterday and a Garda spokesman said her death was not being treated as suspicious.
The Garda has appealed for people to check on their neighbours especially the elderly. The Garda has also apprealed for motorists to take continuing care on the roads many of which are expected to retain patcheds of black ice for a number of days.
Bus Eireann said the majority of its services were running yesterday and services in serverly impacted areas over the coming days would depend on road and weather conditions.
Dublin Bus will continue to have personnel out early in the morning assessing the condition of all routes. Services to some housing estates may be curtailed until snow and ice has melted.
Irish Rail said services to and from Heuston Station in Dublin had been delayed by up to 30 minutes because of frozen points on the track at Kildare yesterday. However it is expected a full service will operate today.
But the company warned major infrastructure works will take place in the Limerick Junction area over the coming weekend.
As a result, train services out of Heuston to and from Cork, Limerick and Tralee will operate between Heuston and Thurles stations only. A revised timetable will operate and passengers are advised to check full details on www.irishrail.ie or call customer information line 1850 1850 366222