January sunset at Slieve League, Donegal. Photo taken by Sadie Gilmore, Bailieborough

Windy day ahead with some rain later

Weather update from Met Éireann

Generally mild for the time of year with a good deal of cloud. Occasional rain and drizzle, especially in the west. Breezy at times too.

That's according to the latest bulletin from Met Éireann.

Breezy today and turning very windy for a time in the west and northwest. Mostly dry at first with some bright spells developing and fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds. Turning cloudier as a band of rain moves into the northwest towards mid-morning, bringing stronger winds for a time in the northwest and west where the rain will be heaviest. The rain will track southeastwards through the day, followed by drier, clearer and cold conditions as winds will generally ease westerly but will remain fresh in the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.

The last of the rain will clear southern areas early tonight, becoming dry with long clear spells and mostly light to moderate westerly breezes, fresher for a time in the north with the odd shower possible there. Some mist and fog patches will form, particularly in the south. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +4 degrees, coldest in Munster and south Leinster with frost and ice possible.

Dry and chilly tomorrow morning with hazy sunshine. Cloud will increase from the west through the afternoon with patches of light rain or drizzle following, mainly over the western half of the country. Highest afternoon temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with mostly moderate southwest winds developing, increasing fresh in the west and northwest through the afternoon.

A mild and generally dull night overnight on Thursday with patches of light rain, drizzle and mist, most frequent in the west and northwest. Overnight temperatures generally of 8 to 11 degrees with moderate to fresh and gusty southwest winds, strong at times in the west and northwest.

Friday is expected to be a mostly dull day with patchy rain, drizzle and mist continuing with just a few breaks in the clouds developing. Towards the evening, the rain will turn more persistent in the west and northwest. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds.

Continuing dull and misty on Friday night with further outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Temperatures not falling below 6 to 10 degrees in mostly moderate south west to west winds.

Saturday is forecast to be a mostly dull day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Possibly turning brighter and colder in the north during the afternoon with isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 9 to13 degrees, mildest in the southeast, in light to moderate southwesterly winds.

Plenty of cloud with further outbreaks of rain and drizzle overnight on Saturday. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees generally.

Cloudy on Sunday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, becoming patchier from the south through the day with some bright spells developing. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees generally with moderate to fresh and gusty west to southwest winds.

Further outlook: Little change into the start of next week. Continuing mild in a mainly westerly airflow with rain and drizzle at times, mainly over the western half of the country.