As the memory of a festive Christmas slowly fades, the horror that we remain mired in the depths of a cruel, cruel winter will be reinforced this weekend thanks to high winds, flooding in the west (there's a surprise), icy roads everywhere else and buckets of rain.
Then there's the power cuts, abandoned cars, cancelled train services, road works, meetings of EU dignitaries and the odd sporting occasion to drive the intrepid Irish traveller to distraction this weekend.
Parts of Mayo, Longford and Roscommon are still without electricity after very strong overnight winds and gardaí have advised motorists against using the Kilcock-to-Clane road because of bad flooding.
The council are working to alleviate the problem and some motorists have had to abandon their cars until the flood waters recede.
Staying in the west, EU meetings are ongoing in Galway today and tomorrow so expect traffic to be heavier than usual. Diversions may be put in place, particularly around Eyre Square and the docks between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
And from west to east: roadworks and temporary traffic lights are in place on the Cleaboy Road in Waterford from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the end of the month to facilitate broadband works.
Iarnród Éireann are continuing the upgrade works on the DART line between Grand Canal Dock and Greystones tomorrow and Sunday, so there will be no services south of Pearse Station until Monday. Intending customers are advised to make alternative arrangements.
The Dublin Connolly to Gorey/Rosslare train services will be affected this weekends. Bus transfers will operate on all Gorey and Rosslare services between Dublin and Greystones or Arklow, and delays of up to 40 minutes may result.
No major airport delays are forecast for the weekend but ferry services may be disrupted due to high winds that are due to ease off through today. The Stena Exploreris having its annual refit, which means the Stena Line Dún Laoghaire-to-Holyhead services have been suspended until February 12th.
It's a quiet sporting weekend unless of course you're a Munster fan.
They take on Gloucester in Thomond Park in a rematch of last season's nail-biter that saw Munster beat the English team by the requisite 27 points and four tries to progress to the next round of the Heineken Cup. What is required tomorrow is not as clear-cut but a win is the very least the die-hard Munster fans will expect.
Munster fans can also expect to be cold as the weather will be suitably wintry over the weekend. Saturday night will have low temperatures, with a widespread severe frost and icy stretches on the roads. Sunday will also start off cold and frosty.
Throughout Sunday, increasing cloud will bring milder air in its wake - which will lead to a rise in temperatures. The downside is that this may be accompanied by some rain or drizzle.
