Weather: further showers will turn heavier and more prolonged later

The day started out very rough and windy, with strong south to southwest winds, followed by a band of heavy rain.

The rain has now cleared to be followed by sunny spells, but Met Éireann are warning of further showers which will turn heavier and more prolonged later in the day. Thunder and hail is possible. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees.

Tonight there will be clear spells and scattered showers. It will stay breezy with a moderate to fresh west to southwest wind, strong at times near the coast. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees, mildest near the west coast.

Friday morning there will be sunny spells and scattered showers but most areas will become dry by the afternoon as the showers become confined to Ulster mainly. Cloud will increase later in the day. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees with a moderate to fresh southwesterly wind, strong at times in the west and northwest.

Friday night will be cloudy but staying dry for much of the night with just isolated showers. By morning however, more persistent rain will push in across the south and west. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

Dull and damp on Saturday with occasional outbreaks of rain, most persistent along southern coastal counties. The rain may turn heavy in some areas later in the evening. Temperatures will be above average for the time of year with highs of 12 to 15 degrees. Somewhat breezy with fresh southerly winds.

Saturday night will be quite wet at first with outbreaks of showery rain, potentially turning heavy in places. The rain will then clear eastwards during the night, leaving largely clear and dry conditions with just isolated showers lingering along Atlantic coasts. Minimum temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees. Fresh south to southwest winds, easing moderate by morning.

Plenty of dry and bright spells on Sunday, though showers will persist along Atlantic coasts through much of the day. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees in moderate south to southwest winds.

Showers will continue in many Atlantic coastal areas on Sunday night, though it will stay largely clear and dry elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly breezes.

Further outlook

Considerable uncertainty remains for the further outlook. Higher pressure may develop over Ireland for the middle of next week, leading to slightly more settled conditions.