Ireland is in for better weather than normal this Christmas thanks to the dominance of one type of system.
Met Eireann is forecasting high pressure for Christmas week meaning an unusually settled few days are on the cards.
The week ahead is expected to be milder and drier than normal, with little to no chance of a white Christmas this year.
Before then, Thursday will be mainly dry and cloudy with some sunny breaks.
There will be some patches of mist or drizzle, mainly on hills and coasts with some fog in places for the start of the day, and highest temperatures of 8 to 10C.
A forecaster said: "Dry and cloudy on Thursday night. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 7C in light or moderate southeast breezes, fresh at times on the southwest coast. It'll be colder in inland parts of Munster where skies clear for a time, on southern coasts temperatures will be higher.
"A cloudy, dry day tomorrow, Friday, with a few brighter intervals. A little colder than preceding days with highest temperatures of 7 to 9C.
"It will be mostly cloudy on Friday night with clear spells across the north of the country. A cold night where skies clear with a touch of frost possible. Lowest temperatures between plus 1 and plus 3C generally, around 5 or 6C in Munster and south Leinster. Light to moderate southeast winds.
"Saturday, Sunday and Monday will all be similar days, rather cloudy with occasional mist, drizzle and fog on hills and mountains. Light easterly winds with temperatures in the daytime of between 7 and 9C and between 5 and 7C at night.
"Early indications suggest high pressure will remain the dominant feature during the early days of Christmas week with lots of dry and settled weather expected.
"Turning somewhat colder from Monday night with night frosts developing as the week progresses."
