It appears the chances of a White Christmas in Ireland have been swallowed up by an unusually mild weather system making its way here for the festive period.
It's good news for those travelling home for Christmas with clear roads and a very low chance of disruption to scheduled bus, train and plane journeys.
The weather update comes hot on the heels of a severe cold snap earlier this month which brought flights to a standstill and saw some parts of Ireland freeze in -8C temperatures.
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Looking to the days ahead, Met Éireann say daytime temperatures will be normal over the next few days with some dry and bright spells but showers too. The daytime highs of 10 degrees this week will feel unusual compared to the big chill of the last couple of weeks.
However, it's not all good news and there will be plenty of showers and rain around, particularly in the south of the country.
In its forecast for Friday, Met Éireann said: "Heavy rain will extend countrywide early on Friday with the ongoing potential for spot flooding and pools of surface water, mainly across southern counties.
"The rain will persist across the north well into the evening hours, while a clearance will gradually develop across much of Munster and Leinster into the afternoon. Highest temperatures will range 5 to 11 degrees, north to south across the country. Moderate to fresh easterly winds will veer southwest in the clearance."
Any lingering rain in Ulster will clear early on Friday night and a mix of clear spells and scattered showers will follow for the rest of the night, most persistent and occasionally heavy along Atlantic coasts.
Looking to the big days, their forecast reads: "Christmas Eve will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, possibly turning heavy at times near western and southern coasts. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds."
They predict a mix of clear spells and scattered showers on Christmas Eve night, saying some of the showers may be heavy, especially early.
However, Met Éireann has told children not to worry as "Rudolph's nose will help to keep Santa on track as he makes his way across the country. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate southerly breeze."
Met Éireann added: "Current indications suggest that Christmas morning will be dry and bright for many eastern and southern areas but showery outbreaks of rain will move into the west and north. This rain will gradually make its way southeastwards across the country through the day. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in a light to moderate southerly breeze.
"St. Stephen's Day will be a colder and brighter day with scattered showers mainly in western and northern coastal counties. These showers may turn to sleet in some spots," Met Éireann said.
Beyond that, they say: "There is still uncertainty in the further outlook but early indications point towards the return of milder air from Tuesday onwards. Staying unsettled with rain and showers feeding in from the Atlantic."
In their monthly forecast, they suggest the first days of the New Year will bring high pressure to the north and northeast of Ireland.
Met Éireann says this will place us in "a more temperate southeast flow" and that "temperatures will recover close to average for the time of year and rainfall amounts are expected to be below average across the country.
"The potential for hazards though the period looks to be low with mostly benign conditions developing however fog may be an issue at times."
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