Coldest night of year recorded but temperatures to rise again

Sunday night was the coldest of the year to date with a low of minus 6.9 degrees recorded in Mullingar. It was a record low temperature for the year, with the previous low of minus 4 degrees recorded in February.

Temperatures, however, are set to rise with milder and wetter weather is on the way.

Overnight cloud will see temperatures rise on Tuesday, first in the west and then spread to the rest of the country. Temperatures will be between five and 10 degrees, about normal for the time of year, with rain in the west and southwest.

New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day will be mild and wet everywhere. Temperatures on New Year’s Day will reach up to 12 degrees but it will be wet and blustery in most places.

Friday will be a colder, fresher day with scattered showers, but there is no imminent return to the freezing weather of recent nights.