Weather to take a turn for the worse this week

While we've enjoyed some very pleasant Spring weather of late, a change is set to take hold as the week continues, with plenty of wind and rain on the horizon.

According to Met Éireann, Tuesday will begin cloudy and breezy with some showery rain across southern and western coastal counties. Around noon, a band of rain will move in off the Atlantic, and will gradually track eastwards during the day. Clearer conditions will follow from the west later. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees Celsius, in mostly fresh southwest breezes.

It will turn breezy early on Tuesday night with a band of rain continuing to extend eastwards over the country. A clearance will quickly follow from the west and it will turn cold under the clearing skies with just a few isolated showers following. Minimum temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees in moderate southwest winds.

After a mostly dry start on Wednesday, showery rain will move in from the Atlantic to affect parts of west Munster, Connacht and Ulster. Further east, it is expected to remain mostly dry with some bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures will generally range from 9 to 12 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds. Some scattered outbreaks of rain moving eastwards over Ireland on Wednesday night but tending to clear to scattered showers during the night. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in moderate southwest breezes.

On Thursday, showery outbreaks of rain will spread across the country from the west and it will turn blustery. Some heavy downpours are expected with a risk of hail later in the day as it turns colder. Maximum afternoon temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees but a colder airmass will extend from the Atlantic later in the day. Any lingering rain affecting eastern counties will clear on Thursday night to leave a mix of clear spells and showers, some with hail and thunder. Feeling cold with a touch of frost possible in areas sheltered from a brisk southwest breeze. Lows of 0 to 3 degrees.

Friday looks set to be a cold and windy day with sunny spells and widespread showers, some wintry with a risk of hail and thunder. Maximum temperatures of just 5 to 8 degrees but feeling even colder in a brisk westerly breeze. Cold and blustery overnight with clear spells and scattered showers.

Trend for the weekend: Early indications suggest the weekend will remain unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain expected.