It’s looking good.

Anyone who receives a new bike or scooter from Santa tonight should be able to road test it in fine weather tomorrow, as Met Éireann confirms we can expect a ‘cold and frosty’ Christmas Day with clear skies.

“It’ll be a mainly dry day with sunshine becoming hazy and then giving way to cloud.” reveals the national forecaster.

“Highest temperatures will be between 7 and 9 degrees. A freshening southeast wind will become strong later.”

In the meantime we an expect showery rain with thundery bursts this morning and isolated showers by afternoon before some sunny spells develop.

Tonight will bring ideal conditions for Santa’s visits; it will be cold, clear and frosty with lowest temperatures of between minus 2 and plus 2 degrees. Thursday, St Stephens Day will bring showery outbreaks of rain in places through the day, with further showers expected on Friday.

Christmas Day swims

The Irish Coast Guard has warned the public to take extra care when taking part in any of the charity Christmas Day swims taking place around the country tomorrow.

“Swimming in open water is very different to swimming in a pool.” the Coast Guard tweeted.

“Unseen currents, cold water and waves make open water swimming more challenging. Even the strongest swimmers can tire quickly in the sea.”