Risk of localised flooding as persistent rain forecast

Prepare for persistent rain for much of today, Met Éireann says in its latest weather bulletin. The rain will be heavy in some areas with a risk of localised flooding.

The national weather forecaster has also issued a Status Yellow Rainfall warning for Cavan and Monaghan. It says: 'Heavy rain at times Monday and Tuesday with a risk of flooding. Rainfall totals of around 30-50mm expected, possibly higher in mountainous areas.'

Highest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees today in fresh to strong south to southeast winds.

Further spells of heavy rain will spread overnight with a continued risk of localised flooding. The rain will clear northwards overnight with some clear spells developing. Lowest temperatures of 10 or 11 degrees. Fresh southeasterly winds.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be a windy day with showery outbreaks of rain for much of the day. Further heavy downpours are expected with isolated thunderstorms and a risk of localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 13 or 14 degrees. Moderate to fresh southerly winds strengthening through the day.

Low pressure will dominate for the rest of the week, bringing spells of wet and windy weather.

Drier conditions will develop in many areas on Tuesday night, although showery outbreaks of rain will continue in parts of the west and north. Lowest temperatures of 7 and 10 degrees, with southerly winds easing overnight.

Wednesday is expected to be quite a mixed day with scattered showers, mainly in western areas, with the midlands seeing the best of any sunshine. Highest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees. Light cyclonic variable winds, although fresh to strong northerly winds along western coasts.

A few showers overnight on Wednesday but a lot of dry weather too with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees with frost possible in southern many. Light to moderate west to northwest breezes.

Thursday should be a mostly dry day with good spells of sunshine and just a few showers. Cloud will increase from the west later in the day. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in mostly light southwesterly breezes.

Thursday night: Starting mostly dry across the country but a band of rain will push in from the Atlantic towards midnight, spreading eastwards overnight. Lows of 6 to 8 degrees. Moderate southerly winds veering west with the clearance of the rain.

Looking head to Friday and outbreaks of rain will clear into the Irish Sea early in the morning to give a bright day with sunny spells and scattered showers. Chilly with highs of 9 to 11 degrees in moderate westerly winds.

Current indications for the weekend suggest conditions will continue unsettled with further spells of wet and windy weather.