Bright forecast for first weekend of year

The unusually bright winter weather looks set to continue this weekend

with Met Éireann forecasting a mainly dry Saturday and Sunday with sunny spells. However today will continue most cloudy and windy with patches of drizzly rain.

Met Éireann is warning that south to southeast winds will reach gale force at times this afternoon and evening on Irish Coastal waters from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head. However Stena and Irish Ferries sailings will continue as scheduled.

Clearer weather will reach the West and Southwest coasts early tonight, and spread to all parts overnight and early in the morning. Winds easing off considerably overnight also. Temperatures falling to between two and seven degrees Celsius by dawn, with perhaps a touch of ground frost.

AA Roadwatch is warning motorists to beware of possible fog patches on Saturday and Sunday morning.

In Dublin motorists are being warned of possible traffic disruption in the Lansdowne area on Saturday because of the St Mary’s versus Lansdowne rugby match. The kick-off time is 2.30 p.m.

Skerries Road will be closed between Fancourt Road and Seacourt Lane from 8 a.m. on Sunday January 6th until Sunday February 10th. Alternative routes are via Skerries Road, Dublin St and Bridge St or Skerries Road, Hampton St and Bridge St.

In Cork, traffic is likely to be disrupted by the horse races which take place between 12.45 and 3.45 p.m. On Sunday traffic flows in and around Naas will also be affected by the horse races which also take place between 12.45 and 3.45 p.m.