Met Eireann has issued a weather warning for tonight. High winds are expected in counties across Munster, Leinster and Connacht with Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan expected to see the worst conditions at this stage.
According to forecasters, a vigorous Atlantic storm is expected to pass just to the northwest of Ireland overnight. It says the exact track is still not certain, but it is likely to bring some severe winds in over the country for late Monday night and for a time on Tuesday.
Met Eireann says blustery southwest winds are expected to gust to between 100 km/h and 130 km/h. The highest gusts, at this stage, are expected in western and northern coastal counties. High Seas are expected also.
A less severe wind warning is also in affect for Wexford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford. These counties are expected to see south to southwest winds, of mean speeds 50 to 70 km/h will gust 85 to 100 km/h at times on today.
For the rest of the country forecasters say it will be windy and blustery today with strong and gusty south to southwest winds. It will be wet particularly this morning, top temperatures eight to 11 degrees.
At this stage Met Eireann says conditions will remain very unsettled throughout Christmas week.It says it will be extremely windy and blustery tomorrow morning and stormy in places, but the winds will moderate through the afternoon and evening. There will be heavy wintry showers with some sleet and snow in places. Top afternoon temperatures of four to seven degrees.
Tomorrow night will be cold. A widespread frost is forecast with some some wintry showers, but there will be some dry clear periods also. Lowest temperatures of zero to minus three degrees.
Christmas Day will be a cold, bright day, with some weak winter sunshine. Early frost will clear slowly, but any wintry showers will be well scattered. Top temperatures of just two to six degrees in a moderate southwesterly breeze.
Met Eireann says it will be very cold overnight, with a widespread sharp to severe frost and ice with temperatures as low as minus four degrees, are expected.
On St Stephen’s Day will be a cold, bright day, with occasional sunny spells. Top temperatures just three to six degrees.
However, a spell of very windy and wet weather will spread up from the southwest overnight, possibly preceded by some sleet or wet snow in northern areas.
According to Met Eireann, present indications suggest that Friday and Friday night will be stormy, with widespread heavy rain and some spot flooding. Likewise Saturday looks like staying extremely windy and very showery also.