As Ireland rides out Storm Herminia the week ahead does bring some hope

A dry and very cold start to the morning with Storm Herminia as many areas have been left with frost and ice as well as persistent or heavy rain and strong, gusty winds. Frosty and windy conditions will continue into the early afternoon for parts of the country, mainly Carlow and Wexford.

Through this morning and early afternoon, persistent and heavy rain will spread northeastwards across the country, accompanied by strong and gusty southeast winds and gales on south and east coasts.

Scattered heavy showers will follow as rain clears northwards later, with winds becoming southerly and easing somewhat. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees.

As Storm Herminia is set to continue until the early hours of Monday morning, tonight will see scattered showers will continue to spread from the southwest, merging to longer spells of rain later and turning heavy at times over the southern half of the country.

READ MORE: ESB in urgent safety appeal following 'very dangerous incidents' in the wake of Storm Éowyn

Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds, but strong to gale force in southern coastal counties.

A blustery start to Monday, January 27, with showery outbreaks of rain. A few dry and bright spells will occur with moderate to fresh southerly winds, strong in the south and southeast, will ease mostly light to moderate variable in the afternoon.

Highest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees, coolest in the northwest.

On Monday night showery outbreaks of rain will continue but will become mostly confined to the northwest by morning. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees With fresh to strong and gusty northwesterly winds.

Tuesday will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers with longer spells of rain possible in the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees with fresh to strong and gusty northwesterly winds, becoming moderate to fresh westerly later.

Tuesday night will start off mainly dry and cold with frost developing in many areas. Outbreaks of rain will move up from the south and extend over the southern half of the country by morning: Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees, coldest in Ulster.

On Wednesday morning, rain will continue to effect Munster and south Leinster, but will gradually clear to the southeast in the afternoon. There'll be sunny spells and scattered showers further north.

Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with moderate north to northwest winds freshening in the afternoon. Wednesday night will bring clear spells and scattered showers, these mainly in the west and north. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees with moderate northwest winds.

Thursday will be mainly dry with sunny spells and just a few showers. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees with moderate westerly breezes.

As for Friday and over the long weekend, there will be some further rain or showers at times but rainfall amounts will be small and there will be good drier periods as well.

Day time temperatures will range from about 7 to 10 degrees. Frost will develop on some of the nights.