Wet and windy few days ahead

Weather update from Met Éireann

Unsettled with wet and rather windy spells. That's the latest weather outlook for the coming days.

A band of heavy thundery rain with local lightning will affect northern and eastern counties early this morning, quickly clearing. Sunny spells and scattered heavy showers will occur through the day. Most of the showers will affect Atlantic counties, merging to longer spells of rain here with local lightning. Later in the day, some showers will extend further east. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees with best values for Leinster, all in a mostly moderate to fresh southwest wind.

Tonight will bring further scattered heavy showers, again merging to longer spells of thundery rain across Atlantic counties with spot flooding. Drier and clearer further east though a few showers will arrive later on. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in mostly moderate southwest winds, stronger along Atlantic fringes.

Tomorrow, Thursday, low pressure will move in across the country, bringing blustery southwesterly winds and frequent showers, merging to longer spells of rain with local lightning and spot flooding, especially across northwest counties. Some sunny spells across southeast counties where it could stay dry. A little cooler too with highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees.

Friday is expected another breezy day with brisk westerly winds. Sunny spells and passing heavy showers will occur, most frequent across the northern half of the country. Local lightning is possible for northern counties. Mild in any mid-afternoon sunshine with highest temperatures of 15 to 21 degrees, best values for southeast areas.

Many areas will be dry for Friday night with clear spells and passing coastal showers. Later in the night, rain will arrive into south and west areas. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate southerly breezes.

The weekend: Uncertainty to the exact detail but there is the potential for some significant rainfall and blustery winds, particularly during Saturday. Daytime maxima will generally range from the mid to high teens. Saturday night will bring minima of 10 to 13 degrees with clearer skies in turn on Sunday night.

Early next week: Remaining unsettled with further rain or showers.