Thunderstorms on the way as Met Éireann warns of wild weather in the run up to Christmas

Ireland is facing a dramatic weather turnaround this week, with Met Éireann warning that heavy rain, hail and isolated thunderstorms could hit just days before Christmas.

After a calm and chilly start, forecasters say unsettled Atlantic systems will push in from midweek, bringing wet and windy conditions as the festive period approaches.

Monday is expected to stay largely settled. Met Éireann says it will be “generally dry with a mix of cloudy periods and sunny spells”, with the brightest conditions in the west. Temperatures will reach between 7 and 10 degrees in light westerly breezes.

Conditions will turn colder tonight, with Met Éireann forecasting “long clear spells” and lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees. A touch of frost is possible, along with mist and fog patches.

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Tuesday will start off bright and dry again, with highs of 4 to 9 degrees, but this calm spell will not last. Cloud will thicken from the west later in the day, signalling the start of more unsettled weather.

By Tuesday night, rain and drizzle will spread across the country, with winds strengthening to fresh and strong. Met Éireann says it will turn milder overnight, with gusty conditions and gales possible along coastal areas.

Wednesday will be significantly milder, with temperatures rising to 10 to 13 degrees. Outbreaks of rain will clear eastwards through the day, followed by sunny spells and scattered showers pushing in from the Atlantic.

Forecasters say Thursday could bring the most disruptive weather of the week.

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Met Éireann warns that Thursday will see “persistent rain, heavy at times”, followed by Atlantic showers, “some of which will be heavy and with a risk of hail or isolated thunderstorms”. Winds are also expected to strengthen, becoming fresh to strong, with gales possible along western coasts.

Friday may bring a brief easing, with some sunny spells expected, but showers will continue to feed into Atlantic coastal areas.

Looking further ahead, Met Éireann says unsettled conditions are likely to continue into the weekend, though there are early indications that more settled weather could develop as Christmas Day approaches.

Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly struck a hopeful note for the festive period, posting on X: “If you asked Santa for some high pressure for Christmas Day to give us nice settled weather then you might be in luck but you may stay behaving to ensure he delivers!”