Met Éireann delivers Christmas forecast for Ireland and it's not great news

Ireland has been on snow watch for a possible White Christmas for weeks now but there's no white stuff in the forecast from Met Éireann for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or St Stephen's Day.

In their overview for the festive period, Met Éireann said it "largely unsettled during the coming week with rain and showers at times, though there will be a brief dry and bright spell on Tuesday (St Stephen's Day)."

So, while we're escaping snow and ice, it looks like we'll have to endure the usual mix of rain and breezy weather. Starting with Christmas Eve, they say it "will start off windy and dull with outbreaks of rain and drizzle for most.

"The rain will become confined to Munster and south Leinster through the day. Elsewhere, it will turn cooler and brighter with blustery showers and a few sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 9 degrees in the northwest to 14 degrees in the southeast in fresh to strong westerly winds.

Forecasters predict "a mix of clear spells and showers for most areas on Christmas Eve night. However, it will stay cloudier in Munster and south Leinster with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Becoming less windy, so Santa will easily be able to make his way across the country, as westerly winds ease moderate overnight. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees."

Children can rest assured that the weather won't hamper Santa Claus who will make his rounds as usual and visit every home across the country and the world.

Met Éireann says Christmas Day will be "quite cloudy and breezy with widespread showers to start and more persistent rain over the southern half of the country. Rain will gradually clear from the south through the day, with scattered showers and bright spells following from the northwest. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh westerly winds.

"Most areas will turn dry with clear spells, though there will be scattered showers in the north and northwest [Christmas night]. Turning colder with lowest temperatures of 0 to 3 degrees and a touch of frost possible. Westerly winds will ease light overnight."

Forecasters predict "dry with spells of sunshine for most on Tuesday [St Stephen's Day]. However, cloud will build from the south during the evening with outbreaks of rain developing over the southern half of the country and spreading northwards later. A cool day with highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in light winds."

On Wednesday, we can expect a "wet day with widespread rain, turning heavy in places. Cool with highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees, milder near south and southwest coasts, in moderate easterly winds."

Beyond that, it looks like "remaining largely unsettled for the end of the week and into the weekend, with spells of rain. Generally cooler also," Met Éireann said.