Sunny spells and scattered showers on the cards today

Early this morning, rain will extend south-eastwards across Ulster. It will clear by mid-morning, according to the latest weather forecast from Met Éireann.

Sunny spells and scattered showers will follow for the rest of the day. Highest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees with moderate to fresh southwest winds, becoming westerly as rain clears.

Tonight will bring clear spells and scattered showers, these mainly in over the northern half of the province. Some patches of mist in places as winds fall off mostly light. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees with frost developing in places.

Sunday will be cool and bright with sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees with moderate west to southwest breezes.

Sunday night will be mainly dry, though there may be one or two coastal showers. It will be cold with lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees and a touch of frost in places, mainly over the eastern half of the country.

Monday will start off dry with some sunny spells. It will become cloudier in the west with rain moving in over Connacht and Ulster in the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly winds. On Monday night, rain will affect much of Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with persistent or heavy rain over the western half of the country and with showers further east. The rain in the west will extend eastwards through the afternoon and evening with clear spells and a few showers following on Tuesday night. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees with fresh southerly winds, becoming westerly and easing as rain clears. The night will be cold with lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees.

Looking ahead to Wednesday and it will be mainly dry with sunny spells and perhaps a few light showers near west and north coasts. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with light westerly breezes. Wednesday night will be cold and dry with lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees and with frost in many areas.

Thursday will continue dry with sunny spells. However, rain will move in from the west towards evening and spread across the country on Thursday night. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with light to moderate southerly breezes.

Current indications suggest Friday and next weekend will continue unsettled with spells of rain or showers at times.