Weekend weather: mostly dry but patchy rain developing

Mainly dry today with mist, low cloud and any fog patches clearing from most areas to leave good spells of sunshine.

Met Éireann say maximum temperatures will reach 8 to 12 degrees today, in light to moderate east to southeast breezes.

Tonight will remain dry over much of the country, with clear spells at first in many parts, but quite cold with minimum temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees. Some fog patches also.

Tomorrow, Saturday, will begin mostly dry but with patchy rain developing in places. During the afternoon, scattered outbreaks of rain will extend northwards over the country but there'll be lots of dry weather across north Leinster, with some sunny interludes.

Becoming mild, with maximum temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, in mostly light easterly breezes, fresh along south and southwest coasts.

Saturday night will be cloudy and misty, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. There will be hill and coastal fog also. Minimum temperatures 6 to 12 degrees, coolest in Ulster. Light to moderate easterly breezes.

Sunday will be cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, especially in the north and east during the morning, but dry intervals will develop in most areas during the day.

Maximum temperatures 11 to 14 or 15 degrees, in light to moderate southeasterly breezes. A spell of persistent rain will develop in the southwest in the evening, extending northwards on Sunday night, but becoming patchy. Minimum overnight temperatures 9 to 12 degrees, in moderate southeasterly breezes, fresh on southern coasts.

The outlook for the week ahead looks changeable and mostly cloudy, with occasional rain and drizzle, but dry spells also.