Weather outlook is for more rain as changeable and generally unsettled conditions stay with us into the weekend

Rain will be heavy and prolonged over Meath and the parts of the east at times this afternoon and evening, according to Met Eireann.

Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in mostly light northwesterly or variable winds, fresher at times along the west coast.

Showery rain clearing eastwards overnight with drier and clearer weather extending from the west. Lowest temperatures 9 to 11 degrees, in a light northwest breeze.

It's looking a bit better for Thursday however.

The forecaster says the weather will stay mostly dry on Thursday with sunny spells in the morning but becoming hazier during the afternoon. Isolated showers are possible along the east coast in the early morning, soon clearing eastwards. Afternoon temperatures of 14 to 16 degrees in the northwest, 17 to 19 degrees elsewhere. Winds will be light westerly, strengthening on western coasts by evening. Cloud will thicken from the northwest later in the day with rain arriving Thursday night.

The outlook is for it remains changeable and generally unsettled, with wet and rather windy weather at times for Friday and the weekend, but drier and brighter on Monday.

Rain will extend from the west to all areas Thursday night, becoming persistent and heavy in Atlantic coastal counties. Southwesterly winds freshening, becoming strong on coasts. Minimum temperatures 10 to 12 degrees.

Alas, Friday is expected to be another dull, wet and breezy day.

"Rain will be persistent and heavy at times in the west, but it will tend to be more broken or scattered further east with dry spells developing, particularly in the midlands and southeast. Remaining cloudy throughout. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees, in fresh southwest winds, strong on coasts. Cloudy on Friday night, with rain clearing to scattered showers, before another pulse of rain moves in from the west overnight. A mild night with minima ranging 10 to 14 degrees. Southwesterly winds will gradually moderate and fall mostly light overnight.

Saturday is to be a relatively mild, cloudy and breezy day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, persistent in the west and north during the afternoon. Highest temperatures will range 15 to 19 degrees generally, with the mildest temperatures in the southeast, where temperatures may hit 20 degrees locally. Winds will be generally moderate to fresh southwesterly, but strong on the south coast.

According to Met Eireann, Sunday will see a brighter day with a mix of sunshine and blustery showers. It will be rather unseasonably windy though, in fresh to strong and gusty west or southwest winds, veering northwesterly during the later afternoon and evening. The showers will be heaviest and most frequent in the west and north, with some thundery bursts possible. It will feel cooler than previous days in the brisk westerly winds which will be near gale force on some coasts. Highs of 14 to 17 degrees.