The code red weather warning continued in the northern provinces on Thursday morning but is expected to be lifted by the end of the morning.

Bus services are running in all three provinces despite the road conditions, where black ice continues to make driving hazardous.

The transport department has again advised motorists to stay home as light rain moves over the country and turns to ice as it hits the frozen roads in the north. More than six million kilos of gritting salt have been used over the past few days to try to keep the roads clear, broadcaster Nos says.

Wind

Temperatures are set to rise in the north later in the day although the black ice may return in the evening as the last of the rain moves on.

Strong winds are also expected in northern coastal areas on Thursday night, with gusts of up to 100 kph.

Friday it will be around 7C over much of the country with a little sunshine at times. The rain will return again at the weekend.