THURSDAY DECEMBER 28th: After a cold, but fine and sunny start temperatures will rise from lows of -5c to around 0c or +1c in the late morning as cloud increases from the west bringing outbreaks of sleet and snow in light to moderate east winds. Sleet and snow will ease for a time in the late afternoon, however a second band will quickly spread from the west later this evening and overnight. TONIGHT: Moderate to heavy sleet and snow for much of the night, however temperatures will begin to rise towards dawn and rain will fall for a time before this clears eastwards around daybreak. Cold for much of the night with lows of -1c to +2c. Winds east to southeast, backing westerly later and freshening.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 29th: A blustery and showery cool day with highs of around 5c in moderate to fresh winds. Some sunny spells in between the showers and any lying snow quickly thawing. Showers will die out towards evening and cloud will thicken from the southwest. OVERNIGHT: Heavy rain, possibly falling as sleet and snow for a short time extending from the southwest in fresh to strong southwest winds. Cool with lows around +1c or +2c but these increasing slightly as the night goes on.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 30th: Milder with highs reaching 9c or 10c in good sunny spells after any early morning rain clears. Winds light southwesterly. Becoming cloudy later around darkfall. OVERNIGHT: Rain spreading from the west accompanied by strong westerly winds – with gales likely overnight. Mild with lows of 6c or 7c.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 31st: A fresh day with good sunny spells and just the chance of an isolated shower or two. Cooler with highs of 7c. Winds moderate to fresh southwesterly. OVERNIGHT: Winds dropping light allowing a frost to develop as lows dip to around 0c or +1c.

OUTLOOK: Mixed weather continuing for the first week of January with generally cold days interspersed with the odd milder day. Plenty of precipitation, with the opportunity for some snowfall at times. Rather windy throughout.