There is little or no prospect of Ireland having a white Christmas, according to Met Éireann.
The forecaster has ruled out the possibility of snow, or even frost, being encountered on December 25th given temperatures of up to 12 degrees are expected. It said the weather in the lead-up to Christmas would be unusually mild for this time of year.
Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Gavin said the most likely appearance of snow could be in Ulster on Saturday night, where there was “a possibility” of some being found on high ground. However, with temperatures of 4 degrees forecast for Saturday night, it is unlikely that any falling snow would stay on the ground for long.
On Friday, rain is to push eastward but to gradually clear the southeast coast at around midday. It is expected to be windy with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers in the afternoon.
Sacking of passport office porter described as ‘hatchet job’ at WRC hearing
Verona Murphy’s path to Ceann Comhairle role marked by controversy
Verona Murphy elected as first female ceann comhairle on first day of 34th Dáil
‘I am back in the workplace full-time and it is unbearable. Managers have become mistrustful’
Saturday is forecast to be a generally windy day, with sunny spells and scattered showers. Some of the showers may turn to hail, especially in parts of the northwest. Maximum afternoon temperatures of 11 degrees are expected with lows of 2-4 degrees forecast for Saturday night.
Sunday is forecast to be colder with maximum temperatures of 9 degrees. It is to be blustery again, with sunny spells and scattered showers.
The outlook for the lead-up to Christmas is for some rain and drizzle, the showers most frequent in parts of the west and northwest, and the driest conditions further east. Temperatures look set to range around 10-12 degrees for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
