New year, same old weather: wind, rain, possible flooding

Met Éireann has forecast an unusually mild New Year's evening this year, much to the luck of anyone planning to spend the evening outdoors due to rising Covid-19 cases.

New Year’s Eve is forecast to be “very mild” with little change in daytime temperatures, not falling below 9 to 12 degrees.

However, there will be “scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle” across the country, heaviest later in the night, Met Éireann forecasts.

The forecaster issued a status yellow wind warning for counties Galway, Mayo and Kerry which will be valid from 8pm on Friday until 8am on Saturday. Winds of 50km/h-65km/h with gusts of up to 100km/h are expected.

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The same warning has been extended to Co Donegal for Saturday morning. On New Year’s Day, scattered outbreaks of showery rain will continue alongside windy conditions, though there will be “some sunny spells too” with the driest conditions further to the east.

Temperatures will remain mild, with afternoon values ranging 11 to 14 degrees.

Met Éireann has forecast an “unsettled start to 2022” with possible localised flooding and high winds at times.

“After some very mild weather it will begin to turn colder with possible frost and ice,” the service said.

Saturday night will see breezy conditions with showery falls of rain, mainly affecting Atlantic counties and turning heavier through the course of the night. The lowest temperatures will be 6 to 9 degrees.

Showers will become widespread through the morning and afternoon on Sunday. However, some sunny spells will develop into the afternoon with showers mainly confined to Atlantic coasts.

Highest temperatures on Sunday will range a seasonal 8 to 10 degrees, which will drop to between 5 and 7 at night.

It will be “rather windy and showery with possible hail and lightning” on Monday, according to the forecast.

Highest temperatures will be 8 or 9 degrees, with similar temperatures on Tuesday, and “improving conditions and spells of bright winter sunshine developing”.

It will be “very cold after dark” on Tuesday, though with a widespread sharp-to-severe frost, and some icy stretches.