Christmas Eve 2024 is now the warmest on record for Northern Ireland after the country experienced exceptionally mild conditions – with a similar theme expected tomorrow.
On Tuesday afternoon, temperatures provisionally reached 14.3C at Magilligan on the north coast.
This surpasses the previous record of 13.9C in Armagh which was recorded in 1942 – 82 years ago.
The average temperature for Christmas Eve in Northern Ireland is typically around 7.5C.
The warmest Christmas Day on record for Northern Ireland was in Belfast in 2016, when a temperature of 14.8C was recorded.
Although thermometers are not expected to climb that high this year, temperatures will not be far off that, with highs around 13C expected.
The Met Office have said we can expect to see a ‘mild and breezy Christmas Day’ in Northern Ireland this year.
It will be cloudy but mainly dry, with a few bright or sunny spells developing, especially over parts of Antrim and Co Down.
As we go further into Christmas week, we can expect to see clouds with light rain and drizzle on Boxing Day and Friday, with lighter winds than over Christmas. The Met Office have said it will be cooler by the weekend with some blustery showers in the north.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said this year will be a “green Christmas” as no snow or frost is expected anywhere in the country.
“So great news if you do have travel plans over the next few days, no weather warnings are expected, no disruptive weather – but, as I say, not great news if you want a festive feel and certainly no snow or frost on the way.
“Certainly no snow expected anywhere in the UK – so it will be a green Christmas.”
The Met Office said the weather is expected to turn towards January 30, with colder and rainier weather to settle across the UK.
Mr Morgan said: “Not a lot changes through the rest of this week and indeed this weekend, but as we move towards the New Year, we could see a change to cooler conditions and wetter conditions more widely.
“There could be some heavy rain at times and there is an increasing chance of some snow – but it’s too early to say where that snow is going to fall.”
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