The head of forecasting with Met Éireann says now is the time to prepare for the colder winter weather.
Evelyn Cusasck was speaking as the Government is launching its Be Winter Ready campaign.
This year's theme is staying safe on the farm over winter. But as Evelyn told Newstalk Breakfast, this applies to everyone.
"Around the farmyards make sure everything is secure - and even for ourselves and our gardens, I think it's really nearly time to put away the garden furniture at this stage.
"And to make sure that everything is tied down and all the outside lights are working.
"And that there's no loose slates - do all those checks on the buildings and the outhouses".
She says everyone should have a high-vis jacket.
"For a very general, practical point of view is to have your high-vis jackets ready.
"It's great to see the kids going to school now, and the cyclists, I think it's become the norm now to wear high-vis jackets.
"For motorists, check your tyres and that the windscreen wipers are working.
"And it's a really good week now, the next two weeks, to get your car in for a service and to prepare for the winter."
And she says motorway drivers can now get real-time weather information.
"The TII are now showing on the motorway the Met Éireann weather warnings, particularly for hailstones.
"While they don't occur that often, they can be very dangerous and lethal on motorways."
In terms of the forecast for the coming month, she says things are looking cooler.
"There's no sign of anything too extreme, but in the immediate term - in the next week - while it has been exceptionally mild... it's going to turn that bit colder for next week.
"During Saturday, winds are going to swing around to a northerly direction.
"But for the seasonal forecasting, for the winter, there's no clear signal of anything extreme.
"But as Johnny Giles used to say 'Prepare for the worst and hope for the best'".
More information can be found at winterready.ie
