IRELAND could experience the warmest Christmas Day on record, with highest temperatures set to peak at 13C in some areas.
The forecast threatens the record for the warmest ever Christmas in Ireland, which was recorded at a very mild 13.7C in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 1974.
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And Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly confirmed this morning that Ireland looks to be the warmest country in Europe today, with temperatures in Spain and Italy dropping below 0 in some areas.
However, plunging temperatures, ice, freezing fog and even snowfall could be on the way in just a few days time as a cold front looks set to sweep the country.
Looking towards conditions today, Met Eireann confirmed that it will be mild and quite cloudy but some brighter spells will develop.
Most places will be dry but the western half of the country can expect a few patches of light rain and drizzle.
The weather boffins also confirmed that there is absolutely no chance of a white Christmas – with highest temperatures set to peak between 11C and 13C.
Tonight will follow a similar pattern with largely cloudy and dry conditions at first alongside a little patchy rain and drizzle.
Met Eireann warned more persistent rain and drizzle could develop in Ulster and Connacht overnight, with conditions set to remain warm and dropping to their lowest between 8C to 11C across the country.
Tomorrow, St. Stephen’s Day, will be another cloudy day with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle alongside some mist patches.
Met Eireann said rain will be most persistent in the west and north, with a few brighter spells possible in the east and midlands and temperatures peaking between 10C and 13C.
Temperatures won’t drop tomorrow night, with Met Eireann confirming that 7C to 10C will be the lowest.
Conditions will stay cloudy with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle.
Looking towards the rest of the week, Met Eireann said: “Relatively mild and dull for the rest of Christmas week with a good deal of dry weather, though scattered patches of light rain and drizzle will occur.”
Although conditions look set to stay mild over the next few days, Ireland could possibly see some snow next week.
‘HEAVY SNOWFALL’ POSSIBLE
Kenneth McDonagh from the Donegal Weather Channel said there is a potential for lows mixing with colder air over Ireland next week – with could bring “heavy snowfall” to some areas.
The weather expert said: “We are still looking at models trending to something colder early next week into the new year with a potential for wintry weather that could bring additional hazards such as ice, freezing fog, low temperatures and snowfall.
“There is also a potential for lows mixing with colder air over Ireland that could bring heavy snowfall to some places next week.
“As we head into this weekend we should start to get a clearer view of what could happen but this is just a heads up incase anyone does have plans.”
Looking towards conditions for the week starting on December 30, Met Eireann confirmed that temperatures are expected to be below average.
The forecasters explained: “For Week 1, the signal is for high pressure out to the west and with low pressure systems moving over to the east of Ireland, generating a predominate cold northerly airflow.
“Temperatures will be below average throughout while above average rainfall is expected, particularly in the south.
“Multiple hazards are possible with potential for wind and precipitation hazards depending on the tracks of the low pressures.
“With cold conditions, frost and ice are possible and some of the precipitation could be wintry in nature.”
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