Met Éireann in brutal pre-Christmas weather forecast as they make big prediction

Met Éireann is predicting a lot of unsettled weather between now and Christmas, according to their latest weather forecast for Ireland.

They described the outlook for the rest of this week as "changeable and often unsettled" as we head towards Christmas week. 

Their latest forecast for Tuesday says: "Becoming rather windy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle spreading across the country. The rain will be heaviest and most persistent in the south and west. Highest afternoon temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in fresh to strong southerly winds with gales at the coast.

"Further outbreaks of rain overnight but a clearance to scattered showers will follow from the west by dawn on Wednesday. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with strong southerly winds, veering westerly overnight."

The forecast continues: "Sunny spells in many areas on Wednesday morning with just a few showers. However, it will become cloudy in most areas in the afternoon with rain developing across the southern half of the country. Plenty of dry weather in northern areas with just passing showers. Highest temperatures generally ranging from 7 to 11 degrees with moderate westerly winds.

"Rain will clear from southern and southeastern areas early on Wednesday night with clearer and colder conditions extending from the northwest. Showers will follow into Atlantic coastal counties overnight, some turning wintry. Lowest temperatures generally ranging from 1 to 5 degrees in fresh northwest winds.

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"Cold and blustery on Thursday with sunshine and scattered showers, some wintry over the northern half of the country in the morning. The showers will become confined to Atlantic coastal areas during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in fresh and gusty northwest winds. Rather cold on Thursday night with a touch of frost possible in the east. Turning cloudier from the west overnight with outbreaks of rain developing in Atlantic coastal counties by dawn on Friday. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees, coldest in the east, in moderate westerly winds," Met Éireann adds.

"A band of rain will push eastwards across Ireland on Friday morning with a mix of sunshine and scattered showers following for the afternoon. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in fresh westerly winds, strong along the Atlantic seaboard. Breezy on Friday night with showery outbreaks of rain moving in from the Atlantic during the night. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in fresh southwest winds.

"Windy on Saturday with sunny spells and scattered showers, some of hail in the north. Maximum afternoon temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees with strong and gusty westerly winds. Cold and blustery on Saturday night with clear spells and scattered showers, some of the showers wintry in Ulster. Lowest temperatures ranging from 2 to 6 degrees in fresh to strong west to northwest winds with gales along the Atlantic seaboard.

"Early indications suggest it will be cold and breezy on Sunday with sunshine and passing showers, some of hail or sleet in Ulster. Maximum temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees, coldest in Ulster and mildest in Munster."

In their first look at Christmas, Met Éireann's extended forecast for the week of December 23, they say: "Current indications suggest the weather will settle down for the final week of December with high pressure the dominant feature. Rainfall totals are forecast to be below the December average across the country. Mean air temperatures are forecast to trend slightly above the monthly norm."