Wet and windy day but some bright spells in the afternoon

Weather Update

A wet and windy start with a band of heavy rain bringing the risk of spot flooding. The latest weather forecast from Met Éireann says rain will break up into showers and some brighter spells through this afternoon, the showers heavy and squally at times over the northern half of the country.

Fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds will veer westerly by afternoon, and continue to reach gale force in coastal areas of the southeast, southwest and west throughout the day. Highs of just 10 to 12 degrees.

Staying rather windy tonight but many areas will become dry with clear spells. There will be scattered showers too, these mainly over the northern half of the country, and especially in northwestern coastal counties. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in fresh northwesterly winds, remaining strong on coasts.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is set to be a cool blustery day with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Some of the showers will be heavy with the risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms, especially over Ulster, where the showers may merge into longer spells of rain through the afternoon. Highs of just 9 to 11 degrees, in fresh and gusty northwesterly winds.

The outlook for the coming days is for cool weather with showers and sunny spells in northerly winds. The frost risk remains throughout the coming week.

Showers will become confined mainly to the north and west on Tuesday night with long clear spells developing generally. Cold with lows of -1 to +2 degrees, with a touch of frost developing in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

Another cool day is expected on Wednesday with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Again the showers will be heavy at times with the risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms, especially over the northern half of the country. Some showers may fall as sleet over high ground in the north and east. Highs of just 8 to 12 degrees, coldest in Ulster, in light to moderate northerly winds.

Very cold on Wednesday night with lows of -3 to +1 degrees, with frost developing.

The outlook for Thursday is again cool with sunny spells. There will be a few scattered showers, but less than previous days with a lot of dry weather generally. Highs of just 9 to 12 degrees in a brisk northerly breeze.

Another cold night on Thursday night with some frost in lows of between -2 and +2 degrees.

Friday will be mostly dry with some sunny spells through the morning. Cloud will increase through the day with the likelihood of some rain pushing into the southwest after dark. Highs of 10 to 13 degrees in mostly light winds, strengthening in the southwest later.

Rain will spread northwards to all areas Friday night in fresh southeasterly winds. Lows of 2 to 6 degrees.

Looking ahead to the weekend and on Saturday rain will clear northeastwards to showers and sunny spells. A milder day with highs of 13 to 16 degrees in moderate southerly winds.