As we head closer to the Christmas period the forecast is more certain now after alot of swapping and changing with forecasting models at the start of the week which at the start of the week and last weekend was showing the risk of some very cold weather returning from around Christmas eve onwards but since this has changed and become more clear that it won't turn out as cold as previously shown.

One thing that had become more clear is that the jet steam is set to fire up over the course of next week which could give some windy possibly stormy and wet weather at times over the course of next week.

Christmas Day is set to see a brief plunge of colder air move down across the country which could give a few winter showers to place but this will be replaced by milder air again as we head into St. Stephens day.

Christmas Eve

Outbreaks for rain are expected across Ireland on Saturday with some heavy showers in places especially in western and northern areas. Temperatures will range between 6C to 8C.

Christmas eve evening & night will see showers easing with most areas becoming dry but still the risk of some showers overnight across southern southwestern, western and northwestern coastal areas. Temperatures will range between temperatures will range between 5C to 8C.

Christmas Day

Outbeaks of rain will move into the west and northwest on Christmas morning moving southeastwards across Ireland over the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will range between 5C to 8C.

Drier weather will move into the west and northwest during the evening with a colder airmass also following for Christmas night. It will turn dry for all areas with the risk of a few wintry showers of hail and sleet with some snow over higher parts. Temperatures will fall between -1C to 3C by morning.

St, Stephens day

A cold start on St. Stephens day with wintry showers across parts of the west and northwest during the morning with some falling as hail and sleet at lower level but some possibly of snow for a time in the northwest for some inland areas. It will be dry elsewhere Temperatures will range between 2C to 5C.

A spell of rain will move in from the west during the early night spreading to all area after midnight. Some heavy falls in the west and northwest could give some spot flooding.

Tuesday

Tuesday is looking like a rather wet day nationwide with falls of heavy rain especially across the western and northwestern half of Ireland with possible weather warnings been issued for rainfall as the forecast currently stands.

OUTLOOK

The rest of the week is set to be wet and possibly windy or stormy at times. Some flooding also possible over the rest of the week as we move closer to the new year. It is worth noting that we sit on the bondery of milder air to the south and colder air to the north and it would not take much for colder conditions to return especially during January but as things stands at the moment we are set to stay in a pattern of wet and windy conditions into the new year.

Wishing all our followers a very happy Christmas. Stay safe if you are out on them roads over the Christmas period and as alway I will have further updates over week.

Kenneth from the Donegal Weather Channel