ALERT: Ireland to be hit by storm on New Year's Day amid warning for wind and snow

Ireland is bracing for a potential named storm hitting the country on New Year's Day with strong winds and even snow possible on foot of the Atlantic blast.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says there is potential for strong winds and "heavy disruptive snow" as the storm moves across the country on one of the busiest travelling days of the year.

He posted an update to followers on Saturday: "The latest updates from all of the major weather models are beginning to agree about the potential for a potent Atlantic storm developing close to Ireland on New Year's Day with a risk of damaging winds in some locations in what would certainly be a named storm.

"There are differences however in the exact track and depth of the low pressure system which are still being worked out by the models. In some scenarios the low tracks just to the south of Ireland with the risk of snow then for many parts of the country, however in some it tracks further to the north.

"If tracking further to the north the system deepens more rapidly, leading to damaging winds in some or potentially all areas for a time, but if it tracks to the south then heavy disruptive snow would be a real possibility as cold air digs in south along the northern edge of the low pressure system.

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"In either scenario it appears as though there’s growing confidence in a period of particularly cold weather developing for the first week of January with sub zero temperatures by day, bitterly cold conditions by night and with the possibility of some flurries of snow for some coastal areas.

"There’s still uncertainty, the weather models will continue to change elements of the forecast, but we do need to pay close attention to the real possibility of disruptive weather occurring during New Year's Day. 2025 could well be kicking off with a considerable bang," he concluded.

Met Éireann is also predicting a major dip in temperatures during the first week of 2025. In their extended forecast for the week commencing on December 30, they say "a change to colder, more unsettled conditions is expected to take place in the first week of the new year as colder air dips over the region, with the dry conditions experienced for the Christmas period giving way to more rainy weather."

Between now and then, our weather will trend towards that unsettled track with Saturday predicted to see "outbreaks of rain affect northern and western areas this morning. The rain will become patchier as it slowly moves southeastwards during the day with minimal amounts over Munster and Leinster. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in light to moderate southwest winds.

"Overall dry [on Saturday night] with clear spells apart from the odd shower across western and northern counties. Colder than recent nights with lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees. Moderate southwesterly winds will freshen towards morning."

Met Éireann forecast continues for Sunday and the early days of next week.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29:

Mostly dry, and rather breezy with some sunny spells and scattered showers for the north and west. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds. Breezy overnight with rain in the northwest and well scattered showers across Atlantic counties. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in fresh to strong southwest winds.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30:

Staying breezy with outbreaks of rain across Ulster and Connacht, possibly turning heavier through the day. Mostly dry elsewhere with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong southwest winds. Becoming mostly cloudy overnight with outbreaks of rain becoming more widespread. Parts of the south and southeast may hold dry. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees.

TUESDAY (NEW YEAR'S EVE):

Wet and windy with outbreaks of rain becoming lighter and patchier through the day. Fresh to strong southwesterly winds will moderate through the day, increasing strong again overnight. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees.

WEDNESDAY (NEW YEAR'S DAY):

Some uncertainty with current indications suggesting that it'll turn very windy with strong southwesterlies, and widespread outbreaks of rain.