PLANNING ON HEADING out tonight?

Perhaps more than any other celebration in Ireland, going out on New Year’s Eve is very  much dependent on the weather. If the weather is ok – i.e. not raining Biblically – then it’s possible to consider spending time outside tonight in the run-up to the final minutes of 2013. If it’s miserable then it’s just another incentive to stay at home or beside the nearest radiator.

So what’s the forecast for tonight?

Well, there’s mixed news from Met Éireann. The good news is that earlier warnings of thunderstorms tonight seem to have passed.

The less good news is that heavy rain showers are going to hit most counties from this afternoon. Boo. However all is not lost: Met Éireann says the rain will clear in most places and – wait for it – most of the country will stay dry tonight, except along parts of the west coast (sorry).

It’s going to be chilly enough with temperatures dropping to between 1 and 3 degrees, but sure it’s December so we all knew that anyway.

Today’s weather (via Met.ie)

So in short: bring a coat, but you might get away without a brolly. Have fun.

What are you planning to do tonight? Let us know in the comments.

Read: Photos of the best and worst weather in Ireland this year >