Temperature Chart courtesy of Irish Weather Online

Whats causing this autumnal weather

Most of us around Westmeath woke up to heavy downpours this morning and this is the reason why.

There is a pool of cold air over Ireland, around 5500 metres up, which is responsible for the heavy thundery showers today.

That's according to Irish Weather Online which points out that the warm air from lower levels rises and continues to rise, generating towering cumulonimbus shower clouds.

Showers are set to continue throughout the day today, Wednesday, intercepted by occasional sunny spells.

Tomorrow, Thursday will be a bright fresh day, but once again heavy downpours are forecast.

Temperatures are set to stay around the 15 - 18 degree mark.

Friday will be blustery, and on into the weekend, Met Éireann is forecasting a build up of cloud resulting in heavy showers.

The prospect of more settled weather is on the horizon for next week with the Azores High steering down a coolish but mainly dry northerly airflow over Ireland.