WE HATE TO be the ones to break it to you, but the stormy weather is due to return, MET Éireann has warned, with thunderstorms expected on New Year’s Eve.

While the strong winds have died down in the last couple of days, wet and windy weather will become widespread this afternoon and in the evening.

It is forecast that strong gale force southerly winds will move in on exposed coasts with heavy rain in many areas tonight and a risk of flooding.

The weather is relatively clear this morning, but that won’t last.

Tomorrow will also be cold with some sleet or snow falling on higher ground.

As for Tuesday – New Year’s Eve – heavy showers of rain and hail will spread from the southwest in the afternoon and evening with “thunderstorm activity likely”. MET Éireann said the strong wind will also return in some parts of the country.

We may wake up to a bit of sunshine on the first day of 2014 but that is not likely to last long with risks of some severe winds developing.

You start tying down the trampoline, we’ll secure the wheelie bins.

Read: About 360 homes without power as ESB completes repairs>

Read: Going, going, almost gone…most of the country waking up to a calm morning>