WEATHER: Today will be a wet appetiser for Storm Jorge

Wrap up well as today will be a cloudy day with widespread rain during the morning, and some falls of sleet or hill snow possible during the early morning.

Met Éireann has given for some heavy falls bringing a risk of localised flooding.

It's set to become drier for a spell this afternoon, before another band of rain extends from the southwest this evening. Remaining cold until later in the evening, with afternoon temperatures of 4 to 6 degrees. Fresh to strong and gusty south to southeast winds will veer southwesterly through the day.

Yesterday's beautiful, though admittedly showery weather was the one of few high points in a dismal February, as the month ends off in a deluge. 

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will continue early tonight, turning heavy at times. The rain will clear eastwards overnight and will be followed by clearer, colder conditions with scattered showers. It will be windy, with fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest winds, with gales in western coastal areas by Saturday morning. Mild early in the night, but becoming gradually colder, with lowest temperatures of 1 to 3 degrees occuring near dawn.

On Saturday Storm Jorge will impact Ireland with strong winds and heavy rain expected. There will be scattered heavy showers in the early morning, but persistent rain will move in from the west later in the morning. There will be some heavy falls and a risk of hail and thunder. It will be cold to begin with too, so some falls of sleet and hill snow will also be possible. Becoming very windy as the day goes on, with strong and gusty west to southwest winds and gales in the west. Highest afternoon temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees.