Met Eireann has issued a rather unusual January forecast for Ireland.
The long-range forecast comes as several European countries have recorded the warmest January day ever as temperatures reached as high as 24.9 degrees in Bilbao in northern Spain leading to weather forecasters describing it as "the most extreme event" in European history.
While there have been no extreme jumps in mercury here, January is set to be warmer than usual this year, according to Met Eireann. The national forecast's monthly prediction also reveals a chaotic week from January 6 to 12 as a mobile North Atlantic flow dominating along with a strong upper jetstream will result in low pressure.
Read more: Dublin weather: Strong winds to batter the capital in grim low pressure system forecast
An Atlantic regime will lead to heavy rain in the west of Ireland but rainfall will be near normal in the midlands and the east. Strong winds will batter the country as well with multiple rain and wind warnings expected. Temperatures will be slightly above normal with no severe frost predicted.
Week 2 (Friday 13 January to Thursday 19 January)
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "This period looks set to bring around average temperatures with somewhat more settled conditions and somewhat lighter winds too. Fog will likely be an issue at night with frost possible too. At this time of year, occasional wet and windy spells cannot be ruled out either.
Week 3 (Friday 20 January to Thursday 26 January)
"Confidence is lower at this stage. It still is trending towards marginally milder-than-average conditions with some settled conditions at times but rain or showers too. Most places can expect normal rainfall amounts to come in slightly above normal. Parts of the south, on the other hand, may be a little be drier than normal for the time of year.
Week 4 (Friday 27 January to Thursday 02 February)
"Similar conditions predicted for week 4 with temperatures still trending to above average values. Rainfall amounts will be slightly above average across much of the country. Pressure remains relatively high though with some dry settled days likely too."
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