Weather mayhem has been forecast for Ireland over the coming days thanks to a supercharged jet stream fired up by the US killer freeze.
Forecasters say the very cold air that has been spreading across America is helping to strengthen the jet stream, which is pushing low pressure systems across the Atlantic.
Met Eireann says low pressure will be the main feature of Ireland’s weather over the New Year, leading to “largely unsettled conditions”.
READ MORE: Weather map shows freezing US jet stream heading for Ireland as Met Eireann issue urgent warning
Giving its long-range forecast for the week of December 30 to January 5, it said: “Low pressure will be the main feature of our weather during this period, leading to largely unsettled conditions to start 2023.
“Temperatures will be around normal but it will be wetter than average as a predominantly southwesterly airflow steers showers and spells of rain over the country. The wettest conditions will be in the south and west. With wet and windy spells possible through the period, there is the potential for some wind or rain warnings at times.”
Two separate weather warnings have been issued for rain and wind as stormy weather takes hold.
The Status Yellow alert for Rain affects Cavan, Donegal, Longford, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo from 10pm Thursday until 8am Friday. It reads: “Heavy rain will cause some localised flooding.”
Another Status Yellow alert for Wind affects Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, Kerry and Waterford from 10pm Thursday until 7am Friday. It reads: “South to southwest winds will be very strong and gusty at times, especially near coasts and on high ground.”
Meanwhile, another brief blast of cold weather has also been forecast, with snow set to fall in parts.
Met Eireann says some sleet is possible tonight, with more forecast to fall on Saturday night and the possibility of snow on Sunday.
Its forecast for tonight reads: "Lowest temperatures will be before midnight with lows of 0C to 5C, coolest in Ulster, but getting milder everywhere after midnight. The outbreaks of rain will continue to extend northeastwards to all parts early tonight with heavier falls at times leading to spot flooding in place, especially the west and northwest. Some sleet is possible for a time over northern hills."
Looking ahead to tomorrow, the national forecaster said: " After a wet and windy start to Friday, showery outbreaks of rain will clear east during the morning leaving sunny spells and scattered showers for the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 6C to 10C and while there be a brief lull as southerly winds back west to southwest during the morning, they will increase fresh to strong and gusty once more for the afternoon.
"Showery outbreaks of rain will extend from southwest during the night. Driest and coldest in the north and west, with lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees, with frost and patches of fog developing. Milder elsewhere with lowest temperatures of 4C to 7C in mostly light to moderate southerly breezes."
For New Year's Eve, it said: "Further showery outbreaks of rain expected on Saturday, most widespread at first but good dry periods will develop through the day, especially from mid-afternoon. Highest temperatures of 5C to 9C generally, cooler though in parts of the north, in light to moderate westerly breezes.
"A very cold night, especially over the northern half of the country, with lowest temperatures of -4C to 1C with frost and icy stretches developing widely. Largely dry for much of the night though there will be a few showers with falls of sleet possible. Light variable breezes will also allow patches of fog to develop. More persistent rain will develop in the southwest towards morning."
Met Eireann said: "There is a good deal uncertainty in the forecast for New Year's Day".
It continued: "Indications are that rain in the southwest will gradually extend across the country, falling as sleet in places with snow on high ground. Highest temperatures of 3C to 7C generally, milder along southern coasts. Gradually becoming drier overnight but remaining cold with lowest temperatures of -3C to 1C."
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