Jack Frost may rear his head just in time for Santa’s arrival as conditions take a turn
There is a risk of frost and ice over the coming days
Ireland may not see a white Christmas this year but it will be noticeably cooler as temperatures plummet in some areas, resulting in the risk of frost or ice.
Met Eireann expects high pressure to dominate over the festive period, meaning that dry and settled conditions will prevail into the New Year. An easterly airflow will bring chilly conditions to the south and west of the country as eastern counties will enjoy milder temperatures.
On Christmas morning, temperatures could reach lows of -3C in counties such as Cork, Limerick, Galway and Mayo while Dublin may see considerably warmer conditions with highs of 6C forecast.
“Santa and his reindeer will have very favourable conditions for their trip around Ireland on Christmas Eve night,” a Met Eireann forecaster said. “It’s going to be a cold, dry night with mostly clear skies. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees generally, with a fairly widespread frost and some icy patches, in a mostly light east to northeast or variable breeze. It’ll be less cold and frost free though along the east coast, where winds will be mostly moderate and with lowest temperatures there of around +2 to +5 degrees.”
Of Christmas Day, Met Eireann said: “Frost will clear to leave a dry, bright day with plenty of sunshine for most. Rather cold, with highest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees and feeling colder, especially along the east and south coast with the added wind chill from fresh and gusty easterly winds there, otherwise easterly winds will be mostly moderate.
“It’ll be a dry, cold and mostly clear night with frost forming away from eastern coasts. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +1 degrees generally, though a little higher in eastern parts, ranging from 2 to 6 degrees. Easterly winds will generally decrease light to moderate, though will be a little fresher for a time along eastern and southern coasts.”
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