Rain returns before brighter, cooler spell

Weather update from Met Éireann

Heavy rain is set to sweep across Cavan and Monaghan today before conditions turn cooler and fresher for the remainder of the week, with forecasters also keeping a close eye on a potentially unsettled August Bank Holiday weekend.

The wettest conditions are expected this morning as rain spreads across Ulster, becoming heavy at times before gradually easing later in the day.

By this afternoon and evening, the rain will push southwards into Leinster and Munster, becoming lighter as it does so, while brighter conditions with sunny spells and isolated showers develop from the northwest.

Temperatures will remain pleasant despite the rain, with highs ranging from around 17°C in the northwest to 23°C in the southeast. Light west to southwest breezes will prevail.

Tonight will bring a noticeable change, with cooler and less humid conditions replacing the muggy nights experienced in recent days. Most areas will stay dry with clear spells, although a few scattered showers are possible across western and northern counties. Overnight temperatures will fall to between 7°C and 11°C.

Thursday promises a brighter outlook for Cavan and Monaghan, with a mix of sunshine and scattered showers. The showers are expected to be most frequent across Ulster and Connacht, while moderate westerly winds will reinforce the cooler feel.

Daytime temperatures will reach between 15°C in the northwest and 22°C in the southeast, making for a fresher day overall.

Looking ahead, Met Éireann says the general pattern will remain cooler, with sunny spells interspersed with showers before conditions become more unsettled later in the Bank Holiday weekend.

Thursday night is expected to remain largely dry with clear spells, although isolated showers will continue in western and northwestern areas. Temperatures will again dip to between 8°C and 12°C.

Friday will begin with sunshine for many, but scattered showers developing in the northwest are forecast to spread southeastwards during the afternoon. The showers are expected to be most frequent across Connacht and Ulster, including Cavan and Monaghan, with highs of 15°C to 21°C.

Saturday currently looks to be the pick of the long weekend, with largely dry conditions, a mix of cloud and sunshine, and only isolated showers. Temperatures should range between 16°C and 21°C.

However, confidence in the forecast decreases beyond that.

Current indications suggest outbreaks of rain will move in from the west on Sunday, initially affecting western counties before extending nationwide overnight.

If that pattern develops, Bank Holiday Monday is likely to be wet for much of the country, with persistent rain and daytime temperatures of between 15°C and 20°C.

There is better news for those extending the break into next week, with Tuesday currently forecast to bring brighter conditions, sunny spells and scattered showers.