Early weather models are indicating that we are in for a very cold and settled spell as we head into Christmas Eve.
Weather experts Carlow Weather said that it will become extremely unsettled for the rest of this week with spells of rain and strong winds.
And looking beyond that, they say things are going to take a drastic change.
They added: "Weekend will also see some showers but good dry spells too.
"The weather model trends continue to show a cold and settled spell as we approach Christmas Eve."
Met Eireann is forecasting that this morning will start dry with sunny spells with heavier outbreaks of rain moving in from the west with temperatures of 11C.
Tonight will be miserable enough with rain and cloudy conditions overnight but temperatures will not dip too much, remaining around the 8C mark.
Here's Met Eireann's long-range forecast into the weekend and next week:
Tomorrow: "It will be wet again on Friday, with persistent rain during the morning, then turning more showery for the afternoon. A breezy and relatively mild day with fresh and gusty southerly winds and highest afternoon temperatures of 12 or 13 degrees."
Saturday : "Breezy with blustery showers, mainly affecting western areas. Otherwise dry with sunny spells. Fresh and gusty southerly winds will continue and it will be a cooler day than Friday, with afternoon temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees."
Sunday : "Many areas will have a dry day with sunny spells on Sunday, although there will be further scattered showers in the west and northwest. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds at first will ease through the day and it will be cool with afternoon temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees."
Monday : "It is looking like a wet and breezy day, with widespread heavy rain across the country during the morning and early afternoon. Highest afternoon temperatures of 5 degrees in the northwest to 13 degrees in the southeast."
Further outlook : "Staying unsettled until midweek with further spells of rain, but potentially turning more settled later in the week."
