Sunny spells to start the day but showers this afternoon

Weather update from Met Éireann

Unsettled overall with rain or showers at times. Rather cool or cold at first but turning milder from the south later on Tuesday.

That's the latest weather outlook from Met Éireann.

Frost and icy patches on untreated surfaces but dry for many with sunny spells to begin today, Monday, apart from a few showers in western counties. Showers will become more widespread this afternoon and evening, some of them turning heavy and prolonged, with a chance of hail. It'll become windier too with light to moderate southwest winds increasing moderate to fresh and gusty by the afternoon, strong at times in the west and northwest. Top temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

Showers will become increasingly isolated tonight with long clear spells developing. Winds will fall mainly light southerly or variable overnight with some mist and fog forming. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees with patchy frost and ice developing. Towards dawn, cloud will thicken in the south and rain will move in across Munster.

Cloud and rain in the south will continue to extend northwards over the country on Tuesday, with some heavy falls. Afternoon highs of 6 to 8 degrees generally, but milder in the southwest and along the south coast with temperatures ranging 9 to 12 degrees there. Light to moderate south to southeast winds will veer southwest through the afternoon and evening, increasing fresh and gusty near southern coasts.

Wet on Tuesday night with outbreaks of rain, heavy in places. Breezy in the south with moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty southwest winds and lows of 8 to 10 degrees. Light to moderate south to southwest winds further north with lows of 4 to 7 degrees.

It looks set to be mild and breezy on Wednesday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle becoming lighter and patchier through the day. Some bright or sunny spells may break through by the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in moderate to fresh and gusty southwest winds.

Becoming mostly cloudy on Wednesday night with outbreaks of rain spreading from the south overnight. Minimum temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in light to moderate southerly winds backing to southeast to east.

Mostly cloudy and wet on Thursday with outbreaks of rain, heavy in some parts, with a risk of spot flooding. Areas of mist and drizzle too. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with light to moderate easterly winds backing northerly by evening.

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will gradually clear eastwards on Thursday night with clearer breaks spreading from the west. Mist and drizzle may linger near the east coast until morning, however. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees, coldest in the northwest. Light to moderate north to northwest winds, will be fresh and gusty near eastern and southern coasts.

Current indications suggest Friday will be a largely dry day with variable cloud and sunshine, once any early mist and drizzle patches near the east coast clear. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 generally, but 12 to 14 degrees in Munster in light variable breezes.

Generally unsettled next weekend with further spells of wet and breezy weather spreading from the Atlantic.