Cloudy day with outbreaks of rain

Weather Update from Met Éireann

Today will be largely cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, most persistent over south Connacht, north Munster and north Leinster. There'll be clearer weather over northern parts and it will be cloudy but largely dry along the south coast. Highest afternoon temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees over Ulster and Connacht, ranging from 10 to 12 degrees through Munster and Leinster. Moderate to fresh southwest winds will be occasionally gusty across the southern half of the country and in northwestern coastal areas.

Outbreaks of rain will slowly clear southwards overnight and it will become cold under clearing skies. Scattered showers will affect north and west coasts, with occasional showers penetrating further inland. Lowest temperatures overnight of 1 to 3 degrees, coldest around dawn with some frost and icy patches possible. Light to moderate southwest to west winds will increase fresh to strong and gusty along northern and western coasts.

There'll be sunny spells tomorrow, Wednesday, with scattered showers around the coasts of Connacht and Ulster, some of sleet and possibly snow on hills in Ulster. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west winds.

Wednesday night will be cold and frosty under clear skies, it'll be mainly dry apart from scattered showers along north and west coasts, again falling as sleet and snow on hills and mountains and occasionally down to lower levels. Lowest temperatures of minus 1 to plus 3 degrees in fresh southwest winds

Further scattered showers for west and north coasts on Thursday with mainly dry and sunny weather elsewhere, the showers will become more widespread through the afternoon, continuing to fall as sleet and snow over higher ground. Highest temperatures of 5 to 7 degrees and feeling even colder in mostly moderate west to northwest winds.

Clear skies on Thursday night as showers become isolated and mostly confined to northern coasts. Lowest temperatures of minus 2 to minus 4 degrees with widespread frost and some icy patches developing in light northwesterly or variable breezes.

A cold, bright and dry start to Friday with icy stretches on untreated surfaces. There will be good sunshine early in the day, then cloud will increase from the west during the afternoon with patchy outbreaks of rain along the west coasts by evening. Highest temperatures of 5 to 7 degrees in a freshening southerly wind.

The rain will move eastwards over the country with strong southerly winds on Friday night, falling as sleet and snow for a time initially. Temperatures will rise with the advancing rain.

There'll be widespread rain on Saturday with temperatures of between 9 and 11 degrees in a fresh to strong southerly wind.

Current indications suggest the rain will clear to showers by Sunday.