Current festive weather only temporary - forecasters

Make snowmen while you can, because according to Met Eireann the snow that has fallen in Offaly overnight and early this morning (Tuesday) will be gone within hours. Speaking to the Offaly Independent Met Eireann forecaster Harm Luijkx said temperatures will rise to about five or six degrees Celsius in the afternoon, leading to any remaining snow melting away. Any showers for the remainder of the day are expected to be rain rather than sleet or snow, and looking ahead to the coming days the story is the same with no snow expected he added. Today is expected to remain windy, though without the much stronger gusts experienced yesterday. That wind will die out tonight and weather will turn dry. Frost is expected to develop overnight, with temperatures as low as -1 degrees Celsius expected along with icy stretches of road. Wednesday is expected to be dry for the most part with sunny spells, while winds are expected to ease further. Temperatures on Wednesday afternoon are expected to be in the region of five to six degress Celsius, although this will drop for another very cold night with frost on Wednesday night. Thursday will begin dry and bright according to Mr Luijkx, though clouds are then expected to increase quickly bringing with them rain that may even fall as sleet to begin with. Any sleet that does fall will be only temporary however, with no indications of snow to follow. Though no severe winter weather is expected by forecasters over the coming days, Mr Luijkx said it will remain cold.