A mixed bag for first days of New Year as Met Éireann issues new weather warnings

Met Éireann has issued a fresh round of weather warnings for Ireland with the country set for a wet and windy New Year's Eve and a cold week ahead with temperatures as low as -4 degrees with highest temperatures at just 5 degrees.

The national forecaster is predicting "significant and impactful weather" as the country prepares to ring in the New Year.

Met Eireann has issued Status Yellow warnings for several counties with strong gale force winds and persistent rain set to batter parts of the country.

A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Donegal, Galway and Mayo from midnight on New Year's Eve until midday, with fallen branches, debris and difficult travelling conditions expected.

On Monday, the forecaster issued a fresh Status Yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry which will come into effect from 6am on New Year's Eve until 6am on New Year's Day. 

They are predicting persistent rain across the region with possible localised flooding and hazardous travelling conditions.

Today, Monday is set to be a blustery day with outbreaks of rain across parts of Ulster and Connacht. Elsewhere will be dry with just isolated patches of drizzle and a few sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds, easing moderate to fresh in the afternoon.

TONIGHT

New Year's Eve will be a rather windy day with widespread rain at first. Rain will become confined to Munster and south Leinster in the afternoon, with sunny spells and isolated showers elsewhere. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds, easing during the evening.

Some uncertainity regarding the track of a low pressure area on New Years Eve night and New Years Day. It will be followed by an Arctic airmass bringing much colder and more settled conditions.

Tuesday night: Rain in the southwest continues to extend northeastwards overnight, heavy in places, with spot flooding possible. Some falls of sleet and snow may occur also. More showery conditions are likely in the north. There is the chance of strong winds in the south but they may stay off shore.

Wednesday, January 1

New Year's Day will see heavy rain for a time, mainly in the east and south, with some falls of sleet or snow possible, too. This will clear away southeastwards during the day. It may be windy in parts for a time too with winds becoming northwesterly and gradually easing. Some sunny spells will develop with showers in parts. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees, but it'll become cold everywhere through the evening.

Wednesday night: Becoming mostly dry early in the night as winds ease northerly. Cold with lowest temperatures of -5 to +1 degrees with widespread frost and ice developing. A few wintry flurries are possible in the north.

Thursday, January 2

Thursday will be a largely dry, sunny and cold with just a few light showers along north facing coasts, some wintry. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees generally in mostly light northerly winds.

Thursday Night: Mostly dry, clear and cold overnight. Lowest temperatures of -4 to +1 degrees with widespread frost.

Friday, January 3

Friday will see a mix of sunny spells and cloudy periods but still bitterly cold with highs struggling to reach beyond 1 to 5 degrees. A few showers again for northern coasts, possibly turning wintry at times too.

Friday Night: Becoming cloudier with a few showers lingering in the far north but most areas will stay dry. Another very cold night with lows of 1 to -3 degrees.