We're in for some unusual conditions over the next few days.

If you had your fingers crossed for a White Christmas this year, ready yourself for disappointment, as it looks like that's not on the cards. According to Met Éireann, Ireland can expect some unusually mild conditions this week as well as a major swing in temperature before Christmas approaches. Today, maximum temperatures are expected to be between 10 and 12 degrees, with rain clearing in the northern counties tonight, though some patches of drizzle will develop along the south coast. Tomorrow will be a "generally cloudy day", with highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees, and some patches of mist and drizzle on higher ground. Friday will be largely dry  with "sunny intervals", particularly in the northern counties. Temperatures are forecast to be between 6 and 9 degrees with mostly cloudy conditions expected across the country. Friday night, however, will see a big change in terms of temperature. The evening is set to be "chilly" with frost on the cards. A massive dip in temperatures will cause the mercury to drop to between 0 and 3 degrees, a big contrast from the days before. Over the weekend, the weather will be largely cloudy on Saturday and Sunday, with some patches of mist, drizzle as well as dry conditions expected. Highest temperatures on Saturday will range from 7 to 10 degrees, with lows of 5 to 8 degrees overnight. On Sunday, we can expect highs of 7 to 11 degrees. Next week, however, in the lead up to Christmas, we can expect "lots of dry and settled weather", which will "turn colder as the week progresses".