Mary Lynch sent us in this rather festive little robin soaking up the Christmas cheer in her garden

Wet day ahead but bright and dry tomorrow

Weather Update

Low pressure will dominate our weather in the lead up to Christmas, bringing some wet and breezy conditions. Turning milder for a time also. That's according to the latest weather forecast from Met Éireann.

Outbreaks of rain, which will be persistent and heavy at times, especially in the south, will clear northeastwards through the afternoon, with drier intervals developing. Further outbreaks of rain will push into the southwest in the evening. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees, north to south. Breezy too in in moderate to fresh south to southeast winds.

Cloudy and wet tonight with outbreaks of rain spreading across the country, turning heavy at times. A clearance will move into the southwest by morning. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees. Moderate to fresh southeasterly winds will veer southwesterly and moderate as the rain clears.

Rain will clear Ulster and parts of Leinster through Thursday morning, bringing a bright and dry day for most with sunny spells and scattered showers. Relatively mild with highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate southwesterly winds.

Generally dry and clear at first on Thursday night with some mist and fog patches forming in light southeasterly breezes. Cloud will increase from the southwest overnight with outbreaks of rain gradually spreading across Munster and west Connacht by morning. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 6 degree over the northern half of the country, 6 to 9 degrees further south. Moderate to fresh southeasterly winds.

On Christmas Eve (Friday), outbreaks in rain will slowly spread northwards, reaching Ulster by the evening. Clearer and brighter conditions will move in to the west and south through the afternoon, though patches of light rain and drizzle will linger. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in mostly moderate southeasterly winds.

There remains some uncertainty in the forecast for Christmas weekend. Current indications suggest that more rain will spread across the country from the southwest on Christmas Eve night. However, with Rudolph's help, Santa will have no problem making his way through the rain.

Christmas Day (Saturday) is expected to be generally cloudy and breezy with outbreaks of rain, heaviest in the southeast. Much of Ulster will remain dry for most of the day. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees, in moderate to fresh easterly winds.

St. Stephen's Day (Sunday): Continuing breezy with outbreaks of rain across much of the country, the rain will become patchier later in the day. Turning cooler too in the north with highest temperatures of 3 to 5 degrees there. Highs of 6 to 10 degrees further south. Fresh easterly winds will moderate through the day.

Further outlook: Changeable through the final week of 2021. Currently it looks like a dry and cold start to the week but further spells of rain and some breezy later in the week.