Bookies have slashed the odds on Ireland having a white Christmas, with temperatures throughout the country expected to plummet over the festive season.
Paddy Power has dropped its odds on snow falling being reported in Dublin Airport 1-4, down from 12-1 a week ago. According to a spokesman, it now looks likely that the company will suspend betting on the issue today.
Meanwhile Met Eireann has issued a severe weather warning for the Christmas weekend, with temperatures expected to fall throughout the country tomorrow and remain cold throughout Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day.
Hail, sleet and snow are expected in many areas, with sharp or severe frost at night. Met Eireann has also warned of the risk of icy patches on roads throughout the country.
According to Met Eireann, Ulster and Connacht are the areas most likely to get snowfall over Christmas, with the risk decreasing as you move further south and east.
The likelihood of snow in Dublin is less than in other areas. A spokesman for Met Eireann explained: "It's very difficult for Dublin city centre to get snowfall, it has to be very cold for the snow to settle."
If snow does fall on Christmas Day, it will be the first time Ireland has seen a proper white Christmas since 1991 although parts of the country saw some snow in 2001.
