The new year is set to be swept in by strong winds, widespread rain and low temperatures, according to Met Éireann.
A period of “potentially significant” and affecting weather has been forecast for the coming week, as well as a sharp cold spell due to a series of low-pressure centres developing in the Atlantic.
The first of those is expected to pass over the country on Tuesday, followed by another more significant area of low pressure on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s weather is expected to be “unsettled with heavy rain passing down over the country throughout the day”.
Met Éireann meteorologist Mark Bowe said the low pressure will bring “significant winds to the northwest, but rain will be widespread and rather heavy at times too, which could lead to spot flooding”.
The forecaster went on to explain that the weather on Wednesday will prove to be “a lot more significant with more rain and very strong and blustery winds for all areas”.
“We are currently tracking the development of the low-pressure system expected for Wednesday with potentially some very impactful winds across western and southern areas,” he said.
Met Éireann’s flood forecasting centre also said that soils are saturated or approaching saturation countrywide which will increase rainfall runoff to the rivers.
The widespread and prolonged nature of the rain may lead to “significant river level increases”.
There is the potential for surface water flooding.
Midweek, a cold change to the overall weather is expected.
Temperatures are likely to fall “well below freezing overnight and struggle to remain in the single figures during the day”.
