TODAY’S POSITIVELY BALMY temperatures are preparing us for what could be Ireland’s warmest Christmas Day ever.

The forecasters at Met Éireann have predicted a “very mild” but windy day tomorrow with temperatures reaching as high as 13 degrees Celsius.

This time last year, temperature lows of -15C were seen in various areas of the country. That means Sunday could be about 26C warmer than 2010′s Christmas Day.

Overnight temperatures of between 9C and 10C should make it easy for Santa Claus to make his deliveries in extra-quick time.

However, temperatures may be a fraction too low to beat the record temperature of 13.7C set in 1974, reports the Irish Independent today.

The weather men and women at Met Eireann also said that St Stephen’s Day will remain mild with no frost occurring, even overnight.

However, there will be a change to colder weather from Wednesday, they advised. Eastern counties are expected to remain cold and dry but some rain will be seen in the west of Ireland over the next few days.

Frost will occur at night but should clear quickly during the morning on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

There will be a return to milder weather over the New Year weekend. Now, we’re off to put away the thermals.