No white Christmas – keep wellies handy!

THOSE dreaming of a white Christmas will be disappointed, as Met Éireann is forecasting a washout across the country, with high winds and heavy rain and a risk of spot floods in some areas.

A status-yellow rain warning is in place for both Leinster and Munster, with persistent and heavy rain forecast for Christmas Day.

The west and northwest are facing high winds and torrential rain. A yellow-status warning of heavy rain, with a risk of spot flooding, has been issued for Donegal, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim for throughout today and into Christmas Day.

The first three of those counties, along with Galway, are also subject to a yellow-status wind warning from this evening, throughout the night and for Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, rain could cause floods in the northeast.

‘Persistent rain in Connacht and

‘St Stephen’s Day will begin wet, but the afternoon will see rain clearing and bright spells extending countrywide,’ added Ms Murray. Ulster on Christmas Eve means a risk of localised spot flooding.

‘The rain will move in a southeasterly direction across the country, bringing blustery winds,’ said Aoife Murray of Met Éireann.

‘Christmas Day will be wet everywhere, with very heavy rain all across the country.