The weather forecast for the coming week looks set to bring a mixture of wet and windy conditions, with Status Yellow weather warnings in place for some areas, followed by lower temperatures as a result of an Arctic airmass as the week goes on.
Today, Monday, December 30, there is a Status Yellow weather warning for rain for Co. Donegal which will come into effect at 11:00a.m today and last until 11:00a.m tomorrow, Tuesday.
Met Éireann has stated that the possible impacts could include: localised flooding; difficult travelling conditions; poor visibility.
Meanwhile, the national forecaster has also issued a Status Yellow wind warning for counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway overnight and into tomorrow (Tuesday, December 31) with strong to gale force and gusty south-west winds expected.
The potential impacts include: fallen branches/trees; debris, loose objects displaced; difficult travelling conditions; wave overtopping due to onshore winds and high seas, particularly during high tide times.
This weather warning comes into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in place until 11:00a.m tomorrow (New Year’s Eve).
The UK Met Office similarly has issued a Status Yellow wind warning for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from 6:00a.m until 7:00p.m tomorrow (New Year’s Eve).
Strong westerly winds may lead to some travel disruption as a result.
General weather forecast
Today (Monday, December 30) will be a blustery day today with outbreaks of rain across parts of Ulster and Connacht. Elsewhere will be dry with just isolated patches of drizzle and a few sunny spells developing.
Highest temperatures will range from 9° to 12°C with fresh to strong and gusty south-west winds, veering west to south-westerly and easing moderate to fresh in the afternoon.
It will be a wet and increasingly windy night tonight with rain extending eastwards over the country giving some heavy falls.
Lowest temperatures will range between 6° and 9° in fresh to strong and gusty south-west winds, reaching near gale force in the west.
Tuesday (New Year’s Eve) will be rather windy for much of the day. There will be widespread rain at first, becoming confined mainly to Munster and south Leinster by early afternoon with hazy sunny spells and isolated showers developing over the northern half of the country.
Cloud along with outbreaks of rain will then build from the south-west through the afternoon and evening.
Highest temperatures of 9° to 12° are expected in fresh to strong and gusty south-west winds, stronger near western and north-western coasts, before easing during the evening.
On Tuesday night (New Year’s Eve night), rain in the south-west will continue to extend north-eastwards overnight, heavy in places, with spot flooding possible.
Some falls of sleet and snow may occur also. More showery conditions are likely in the north. There is the chance of strong winds in the south but they may stay offshore.
New Year’s Day (Wednesday) will see heavy rain for a time, mainly in the east and south, with some falls of sleet or snow possible too. This will clear away south-eastwards during the day.
It may be windy in parts for a time too with winds becoming north-westerly and gradually easing. Some sunny spells will develop with showers in parts. Highest temperatures will range from 5° to 8°, but it will become cold everywhere through the evening.
Wednesday night will become mostly dry early in the night as winds ease northerly. It is expected to be cold with lowest temperatures of -5° to +1° with widespread frost and ice developing. A few wintry flurries are possible in the north.
Thursday will be largely dry, sunny and cold with just a few light showers along north facing coasts, some wintry, according to Met Éireann.
Highest temperatures of 1° to 5° generally are expected in mostly light northerly winds. It will be mostly dry, clear and cold overnight with lowest temperatures of -6° to +1° with widespread frost.
Outlook towards next weekend
Looking ahead, it is expected to be very cold, largely dry and bright for the following few days with widespread frosts developing during the nights, stubborn to clear some areas during the days.
There will be well scattered wintry showers too, mainly in northern and some western parts. Some fog and freezing fog will develop by night too, slow to clear by day.