Outbreaks of rain over Christmas weekend
Weather update from Met Éireann
Showers or outbreaks of rain at times over the Christmas weekend, with daytime temperatures staying around normal. Possibly colder on St Stephen's Day.
That's your Christmas weather outlook from the national weather forecaster.
Cloudy this morning with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, as well as some patchy mist and fog. Rain will slowly clear to the east through the morning, leaving a mostly dry day with a few sunny spells. However, there will be occasional showers in the north and northwest and some fog patches may linger over Ulster. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in a light breeze.
A largely dry start to tonight with isolated showers and areas of fog developing, becoming dense in some spots. Turning cloudier overnight with rain pushing into Munster, reaching much of Connacht and Leinster by morning. The fog will clear from these areas as the rain spreads. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees, coldest before the rain develops with the chance of some frost patches in light to moderate easterly winds.
Tomorrow morning (Friday), fog will linger in some northern areas. Outbreaks of rain will slowly spread further northwards through the day, turning heavy at times. Scattered showers and sunny spells will follow from the southwest later, though rain may linger in Ulster until after nightfall. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees generally, but cooler in the north with highs of 5 to 7 degrees. Moderate easterly winds will gradually veer westerly.
Any lingering rain in Ulster will clear early on Friday night. A mix of clear spells and scattered showers will follow for the rest of the night, most persistent and occasionally heavy along Atlantic coasts. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees in a light to moderate southwest breeze.
Christmas Eve (Saturday) will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, possibly turning heavy at times near western and southern coasts. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds.
A mix of clear spells and scattered showers on Saturday night. Some of the showers may be heavy, especially early on but not to worry; Rudolph's nose will help to keep Santa on track as he makes his way across the country. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate southerly breeze.
Current indications suggest that Christmas morning (Sunday) will be dry and bright for many eastern and southern areas but showery outbreaks of rain will move into the west and north. This rain will gradually make its way southeastwards across the country through the day. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in a light to moderate southerly breeze.
St Stephen's Day is forecast to be a colder and brighter day with scattered showers mainly in western and northern coastal counties. These showers may turn to sleet in some spots. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees.
Further outlook: There is still uncertainty in the further outlook but early indications point towards the return of milder air from Tuesday onwards. Staying unsettled with rain and showers feeding in from the Atlantic.