Ducks in a row on Lough Sheelin. Thanks to Brenda Montgomery, Ballinagh, for the photo.

Showers to give way to more sunny spells this afternoon

Weather Update

Rain this morning clearing the north coast. Heavy and blustery showers will follow from the west with a risk of hail.

The latest weather report from Met Éireann says showers will ease and become more isolated in the afternoon with sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with fresh and gusty southwest to west winds.

The national weather forecaster says that tonight will be largely dry and clear early on. However persistent rain will spread across Ulster overnight as strong southerly winds develop. Rain will be heavy at times and winds will reach near gale force around coasts. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees, occurring early in the night before the arrival of rain.

Conditions are promised wet and windy tomorrow morning (Friday). It will remain cloudy across much of the province for the day with rain slow to clear eastwards. Brightening up however in west Ulster as showers follow the rain during the afternoon. Mild with highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees. Strong to near gale force southerly winds will ease moderate to fresh during the afternoon, but remain strong on eastern coasts.

The national outlook over the next few days is for unsettled weather with wet and breezy conditions at times.

On Friday night, rain in eastern counties will clear into the Irish Sea, with showers and clear spells extending nationwide. Some showers will be heavy. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly winds.

Saturday is expected to be breezy with showers or more prolonged outbreaks of rain moving northwards over the country, most persistent across southern coastal counties. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees. Fresh and gusty southerly winds will strengthen on western coasts in the evening.

Weather will become drier in many areas early in the night on Saturday, although some light rain may well affect western coastal counties overnight. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees. Fresh to strong southerly winds in the west for a time, with winds easing light to moderate overnight nationwide.

There is some uncertainty in the forecast for Sunday. However, it looks to have a largely cloudy start with some outbreaks of rain. It will become brighter during the afternoon with showers moving into the western half of the country. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with a light southerly breeze.

Sunday night: Many areas will be dry and clear. However, scattered showers will continue to affect the western half of the country. A colder night with lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees. Light to moderate southerly winds.

Looking ahead to Monday and showers will persist in western areas, but elsewhere it will be mainly dry and bright to begin the day. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees. Wet and windy weather will spread from the west on Monday evening. Widespread overnight rain will be heavy at times with a risk of spot flooding. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with strong and gusty southerly winds.

Further Outlook: Remaining breezy with further rainfall on Tuesday followed by showers on Wednesday, with mild temperatures for the time of year.