It could be the first white Christmas since 2010

The last truly white Christmas this country experienced was back in 2010. However, recent forecasts suggest that snow may not be completely off the cards this year.

After weeks of torrential rain, blustery winds and grey skies across much of the country, the national forecaster has now confirmed that a significant change in weather patterns is on the way.

According to Met Éireann, conditions will "cool if not colder from Sunday", with lows plunging to -2C in some areas of the country.

Forecasters are eagerly anticipating the possibility of snowfall on the 25th.

For now, the national forecaster has issued the following outlook for the coming days: "Unsettled over the coming days with rain or showers, as well as turning cooler if not colder from Sunday. However, high pressure will bring mostly dry and fairly calm conditions from later Tuesday, lasting for much of the Christmas period."

On the topic of snow, the forecaster has confirmed: "There is the chance of the odd wintry shower" on Sunday. From Saturday night, December 21, through to Christmas Day, temperatures are set to fall sharply. Lows could reach -2C on Saturday night, with daytime highs of only 4C in some areas on Sunday and Monday."

For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Met Éireann has forecast both frost and ice, with dry, crisp winter sunshine.

It said: "Rather cold for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - dry and quiet with crisp winter sunshine, but with frost and ice to begin and end each day. There will be the chance of a few coastal showers up along the East Coast, in a light to moderate east to northeast breeze."

Leading up to the final days before the festive period, the full forecast reads: "Blustery to begin Friday with passing heavy showers and local hail. However, winter sunshine will develop more widely this afternoon and brisk southerlies will ease, as showers become confined to the west and northwest counties. Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C.

"Dry and clear for much of Friday night. Some well-scattered showers will begin to feed up from the southwest later, though, along with freshening south to southeast winds. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 7C, coldest for Ulster.

"Saturday will be rather windy to start with some scattered showers. Rain in the southwest will slowly push northeastwards during the day with scattered showers following from the west. Highest temperatures of 7C to 11C. Brisk southeast winds will slowly ease off, but with some mist in places later too.

"A very cold and calm Saturday night with frost and ice developing under clear skies. Some freezing fog is possible across Ulster and the Midlands, too. Showers will move into the southeast and east areas later, locally turning wintry. Lowest temperatures of -2C to 2C.

"Cooler Sunday than recent days with showery rain moving in across the country on an easterly breeze, with the chance of the odd wintry shower. Highest daytime temperatures of 4C to 8C.

"Further showery rain is expected on Monday, mainly across Ulster and Leinster, with more persistent spells possible across these regions. Overnight fog may linger in places. Frost and ice in places to begin too. Highest temperatures of 4C to 8C, in just a light easterly breeze.

"Some further showery rain on Tuesday, moving further west this time, while becoming drier elsewhere. Highest temperature of 5C to 8C with just light variable breezes. Mist and fog also."